Kaya: The Koulse Regional Health Directorate organized an information and advocacy meeting on Friday, September 12, 2025, with community stakeholders in the region for the introduction of the new malaria vaccine into Burkina Faso’s expanded vaccination program. Burkina Faso has taken a historic step in the fight against malaria, the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among pregnant women and children under five, by introducing the R21/Matrix M malaria vaccine with a nationwide rollout in 2025.
According to Burkina Information Agency, this meeting in Kaya, which brought together administrative, customary and religious authorities, civil society and local media, provided an opportunity to present the challenges of this new stage in the fight against malaria and to request a collective commitment for its success. Dr. Palamanga OUOBA, Regional Director of Health, stated that children born since January 2025 and aged 5 months are eligible for the R21/Matrix M vaccination. Three doses, followed by a fourth booster dose at the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 15th months respectively, provide optimal protection. Parents should ensure that their children follow the vaccination schedule while combining other preventive measures such as the use of long-lasting impregnated mosquito nets.
The meeting also informed participants of a local yellow fever vaccination campaign underway from September 10 to 16, 2025. The expected target population is 526,345 people from the Kaya district aged 9 months to 60 years. This campaign is a response to the resurgence of this deadly disease in certain localities in Burkina Faso. In 2024, 20 cases of febrile jaundice tested positive were reported, followed by 16 confirmed cases in May 2025, mainly in eight health districts, including Kaya.
The Secretary General of the region, Mrs. Bernadette Adenyo/Serme, who chaired the meeting, emphasized the importance of mobilizing all local stakeholders for the success of these vaccination campaigns. “Everyone’s role is essential, whether it be authorities, community leaders, religious leaders, associations, or the media. Everyone must raise awareness and encourage people to get vaccinated,” she said. She expressed her conviction that collective mobilization will strengthen the resilience of populations in the face of these health threats.
Participants welcomed this major step forward in the fight against malaria and the response to yellow fever. On site, everyone received a dose of yellow fever vaccine and a vaccination card. They pledged to raise awareness in communities to ensure optimal vaccination coverage for the target population.