(Monrovia, September 24, 2025) — The Ministry of Health, through its Communication and Health Promotion Unit, convened a one-day National Stakeholders Advocacy Meeting to rally support for the upcoming malaria vaccine scale-up in nine of the fifteen counties across Liberia.
The meeting opened with welcome remarks from Dr. Cuallau Jabbeh Howe, Assistant Minister for Preventive Services. Dr. Howe welcomed representatives from other Government institutions, development agencies, and civil society organizations. She emphasized that after a year of piloting the malaria vaccine in six southeastern counties, Liberia is now preparing to scale up the initiative nationwide.
“For so long, we have relied on preventive measures, but this time we want to do more by introducing the malaria vaccine across the country,” Dr. Howe stated. “This malaria vaccine will help us reduce illnesses and deaths associated with malaria. We need all hands-on board to spread the message, so that every child can be vaccinated, protected, and safe.”
The malaria vaccine is administered in four doses: at five, six, seven, and fifteen months. The Ministry of Health reiterates that completion of all four doses is crucial for full protection against malaria. The national stakeholders at the meeting pledged their commitment to amplifying their voices in support of the malaria vaccine scale-up.
Mr. Augustus Sayweh Walker Jr., Director of MOH Communication and Health Promotion Unit, presented an overview of the advocacy meeting, outlining its role in shaping a unified approach to malaria vaccination.
“The malaria vaccine will be scaled up to nine additional counties: Montserrado, Bomi, Grand Cape Mount, Gbarpolu, Margibi, Grand Bassa, Bong, Nimba, and Lofa. The Malaria Vaccine Scale Up will be officially launched in Montserrado and the other eight counties simultaneously on Friday, October 3, 2025. The Communication and Health Promotion Unit of the Ministry of Health will hold County-level advocacy meetings and District-level advocacy meetings, as well as carry out massive awareness on the malaria vaccine scale-up in the nine counties ahead of the official launch.” Director Walker emphasized.
Madame Vachel Harris Lake, WHO-Liberia Health Promotion Officer, reaffirmed the agency’s partnership. At the same time, representatives from UNICEF, Jhpiego, Last Mile Health, and other partners highlighted strategies to boost vaccine uptake, including community-level engagements and integration of the malaria vaccine scale-up with existing health programs. Mr. Julius Kanubah, President of the Press Union of Liberia, vowed media support by mobilizing journalists to strengthen public awareness and engagement.
The malaria vaccine was introduced in 2024, targeting six counties in the Southeastern part of Liberia: Rivercess, Sinoe, Grand Gedeh, River Gee, Grand Kru, and Maryland. The malaria vaccine rollout is part of Liberia’s health strategy to reduce malaria-related illnesses and deaths.