Malaria is one of the oldest diseases known to mankind. In India, it is an ongoing national health burden. To curb the disease, globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) is poised to introduce the first vaccine created to prevent malaria. The organisation announced the vaccine on April 24, 2017, the eve of World Malaria Day. Globally, more than 4,29,000 people died of mosquito-borne illnesses in 2015, and millions are affected by malarial infection. This is contributing to the overall burden of healthcare in India. From 2000 to 2015, a 62-per cent reduction in malaria deaths has been noted, according to the WHO. The implementation of the urban malaria scheme (UMS) in 1971-72 and the modified plan of operation (MPO) in 1977 had helped in improving the malaria situation considerably. However, almost 22 per cent of India’s population live in high transmission areas, and 67 per cent live in low transmission areas, shows the World Malaria Report 2014. Eradicating malaria and other tropical diseases in endemic countries such as ours needs a paradigm transformation in the way the disease is to be dealt with. Broadening the spectrum of universal immunisation coverage will surely play a significant role in achieving this goal with a long-lasting, tangible impact for improving health outcomes in the treatment of this disease.

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