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Merozoite surface protein 9 (MSP-9) from <i>Plasmodium</i> has shown promise as a vaccine candidate due to its location and possible role in erythrocyte invasion. In this study, we generated virus-like particles (VLPs) targeting <i>P. berghei</i> MSP-9, and investigated the protection against lethal doses of <i>P. berghei</i> in a mouse model. We found that VLP vaccination induced a <i>P. berghei</i>-specific IgG antibody response in the sera and CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cell populations in blood compared to a naïve control group. Upon challenge infection with <i>P. berghei</i>, vaccinated mice showed a significant increase in CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ effector memory T cell and memory B cell populations. Importantly, MSP-9 VLP immunization inhibited levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IFN-γ and IL-6 in the spleen and parasite replication in blood, resulting in significantly prolonged survival time. These results suggest that the MSP-9 VLP vaccine may constitute an effective malaria vaccine.