Immunization in Malawi

Children’s vaccination rates of 80-90% are the new standard in Bilira, Malawi – thanks to the successful implementation of a cold chain for vaccines and of an application which provides medical records. Before, many vaccines spoiled due to the missing cooling devices during the transportation to the different medical centers. This amount has been reduced by half.  

Additionally, the app implementation and the offer of tablets for the medical workers created the opportunity to register children for their vaccination and keep track of who is fully vaccinated. If someone misses an appointment, the medical personal can directly contact the parents and remind them to make a new one. This makes planning also easier as the vaccine doses can be ordered depending on the number of children that will come.  

„This is the way to go for the whole country. We need to move quickly in this direction to make sure the whole health system becomes more efficient and effective” said Stephen Macheso (opens in a new window), Director of Health and Social Services in the district of Ntcheu.

Three years later, in 2024, the cooling devices and the application are still in use. Malawian authorities currently integrate the electronic patient register into the national healthcare information system. Additionally, a comprehensive immunization registry is being established which will also be supported by the app.

Country: Malawi

Project: Emmunize (opens in a new window)

Donors: BMZ, Merck Foundation