Monday 22 January 2024 saw the rollout of the world’s first malaria vaccine, RTS,S, in Cameroon with over 6.6 million children expected to receive the vaccine in 20 African countries over the next two years. The start of routine RTS,S vaccinations for malaria, organised by Gavi, WHO and UNICEF, has only been possible following decades of work by researchers in Africa working with international partners.