In 2019, Elian Korir became the first child in Kenya to receive the malaria vaccine. Now six years old, he is thriving, embodying the impact the vaccine is having across sub-Saharan Africa. Born in Homabay County, a region historically burdened by malaria, Elian’s story mirrors a shift in how communities are tackling the disease.
At just five months old, Elian fell severely ill with malaria. The traumatic experience left his parents emotionally and financially strained, forcing them to take a loan for hospital bills. When they learned about a new malaria vaccine, they didn’t hesitate to protect their son. That decision changed their lives. Since then, Elian has remained malaria-free and so has his younger brother, Liam, who is also receiving the full vaccine regimen.
Malaria continues to be a leading cause of child illness and death in sub-Saharan Africa, with children under five most at risk. In response, Kenya joined a pilot program to introduce the RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine in 2019. The program targeted eight high-risk counties, including Homabay. Since then, the number of sub-counties offering the vaccine has doubled, reflecting growing demand and community acceptance.
The vaccine is now part of routine immunization in 20 African countries. In Homabay, over 100,000 children have received it, contributing to a dramatic drop in malaria prevalence from 27 percent to just 3.6 percent in five years. This means fewer hospitalizations, lower medical costs for families, and increased productivity, especially in rural areas where most people rely on subsistence farming.
Nurses, health workers, and community health promoters have played a key role in this success. They educate families, track immunization progress, and follow up with those who miss doses. However, challenges remain. While many children receive the first three doses, uptake of the fourth dose remains low due to misconceptions about the vaccination schedule.
Efforts are now focused on addressing these gaps through better communication and outreach. Health officials urge parents to complete the vaccine schedule to ensure full protection for their children.
The progress seen in Kenya offers hope not only for Homabay County but for malaria-endemic regions across Africa. As more children receive the vaccine, the vision of a malaria-free generation comes closer to reality.
