Malawi launched a nationwide measles-rubella immunization campaign targeting millions of children aged six months to nine years following a resurgence of over 1,800 cases. Health workers established vaccination sites in schools, community spaces, and health facilities to close immunization gaps and halt transmission.
Malawi faced a substantial public health challenge after a measles resurgence brought more than 1,800 cases across the country, with the vast majority of patients either entirely unvaccinated or carrying an unknown vaccination status. In response, the Ministry of Health and Sanitation staged a targeted immunization campaign running from September 21 to 25, aiming to protect 5.8 million children aged six months to nine years. This effort followed an earlier outbreak response in June 2025 that focused on over 2.3 million children across six high-risk districts—Lilongwe, Blantyre, Nkhotakota, Mangochi, Salima, and Ntcheu—utilizing more than 5,700 vaccination teams and 20,000 health workers.
School-Based Outposts and Community Mobilization
To reach children efficiently, health teams turned classrooms into vaccination hubs during morning breaks. At Naotcha Primary School in Blantyre, thousands of learners waited in lines while community mobilizers drummed up local participation alongside parent-teacher associations and religious leaders.
My mother told me to get vaccinated at school today.
Elija Muhulu, Standard 2 pupil at Naotcha Primary School, via GAVI
Headteacher William Mbotwa noted that 2,000 of the school’s 4,160 learners were eligible for immunization during the drive.
Blantyre District Coverage and Operational Tracking
Early data from the Blantyre district demonstrated strong local engagement. The district initially set out to reach 435,166 eligible children with the measles and rubella vaccines, alongside 246,200 children aged 6 to 59 months targeted for supplementary vitamin A.
Communities have responded positively. On the first day, we exceeded the 20% target, achieving a 22% immunisation coverage.
Fales Zikatiwindu, Community Mobiliser, via GAVI
By the conclusion of the campaign, Blantyre had vaccinated 446,062 children, surpassing its initial target. Coordinators across the country tracked progress in real time using Open Data Kit (ODK) tools deployed to map social data, immunisation levels, and supply needs.
Logistical Realities for Health Workers
Staff reported receiving 20,000 kwacha (US$ 11.50) per day for transport limited to two days, alongside 8,000 kwacha (US$ 4.60) per day for five days covering lunch allowances.
Immunity Gaps and National Elimination Goals
According to Dr Mike Chisema, Malawi conducts supplementary measles and rubella campaigns every three to four years to close persistent immunity gaps. While the country maintains a reasonably high first-dose measles coverage rate of 88%, second-dose administration lags at 68% according to recent World Health Organization and UNICEF estimates.
World Health Organization Representative to Malawi Dr Charles Kuria Njuguna emphasized that this coverage gap leaves populations vulnerable. Ongoing outbreaks highlight the necessity of sustained campaigns, robust routine immunization systems, and community trust to protect children and adults from preventable infections.