Malawi to launch measles-rubella vaccination campaign

Malawi is launching a national measles-rubella supplementary vaccination campaign from September 21 to 25, 2026. The initiative aims to reach at least 95 percent of approximately 1.2 million children across seven targeted areas: Blantyre, Lilongwe, Mzuzu, Nsanje, Dedza, Balaka, and Kasungu.

Health officials, including Dr. Jane Dzoole of the Expanded Programme on Immunization, have urged parents to participate to close a critical immunity gap. While routine immunization coverage has recently fluctuated between 80 and 85 percent, officials noted that the country has faced persistent outbreaks since 2024. As of August 2026, Malawi had recorded 372 measles cases and one death.

To support the campaign, the Malawi Red Cross Society is training 1,300 volunteers and 150 community health workers to conduct awareness activities across roughly 39,000 households. Additionally, the Ministry of Health and Sanitation has called upon the media to combat misinformation and provide accurate information to ensure the success of the drive. The campaign will also include Vitamin A supplementation for children aged 12 to 59 months.