Malawi Launches Drive to Close Measles Immunity Gap Ahead of Nationwide Campaign

Health authorities have urged parents and guardians across Malawi to bring children aged 9 months to 9 years for measles and rubella vaccination, and children aged 12 to 59 months for Vitamin A supplementation, ahead of a nationwide campaign running from September 21 to 25, 2026.

The call was made at a media engagement in Mponela, Dowa, this week, with officials warning that the country's immunity gap has left it vulnerable to repeated outbreaks.

Dr Jane Dzoole, Deputy Programme Manager for the Extended Programme on Immunization, said the campaign was critical to curbing measles outbreaks that have persisted since 2024. She said routine immunization coverage needs to exceed 95% to close the gap, but has hovered between 80% and 85% in recent years.

As of June 2026, Malawi had recorded more than 200 confirmed measles cases, with the central and southern regions worst affected.