WHO recommends R21/Matrix-M vaccine for malaria prevention in updated advice on immunization
World Health Organization has recommended second malaria vaccine, R21/Matrix-M, for the
prevention of malaria in children.
This follows WHO recommendation for the RTS, S/AS01 vaccine in 2021.
R21/Matrix-M vaccine has been licensed for use in Ghana, Nigeria and Burkina Faso.
Both vaccines are shown to be safe and effective in preventing malaria in children and, when implemented broadly, are expected to have high public health impact. Malaria, a mosquito-borne disease, places a particularly high burden on children in the African Region, where nearly half a million children die from the disease each year.
It was developed by Jenner Institute at Oxford University and Serum Institute of India.
Key features of the R21 malaria vaccine:
High efficacy when given just before the high transmission season: In areas with highly seasonal malaria transmission (where malaria transmission is largely limited to 4 or 5 months per year), the R21 vaccine was shown to reduce symptomatic cases of malaria by 75% during the 12 months following a 3-dose series.
Good efficacy when given in an age-based schedule: The vaccine showed good efficacy (66%) during the 12 months following the first 3 doses.
High impact: Mathematical modelling estimates indicate the public health impact of the R21 vaccine is expected to be high in a wide range of malaria transmission settings, including low transmission settings.
Cost effectiveness: the cost-effectiveness of the R21 vaccine would be comparable with other recommended malaria interventions and other childhood vaccines.
Similarity of R21 and RTS,S vaccines: The two WHO-recommended vaccines, R21 and RTS,S, have not been tested in a head-to-head trial. There is no evidence to date showing one vaccine performs better than the other. The choice of product to be used in a country should be based on programmatic characteristics, vaccine supply, and vaccine affordability.
Safety: The R21 vaccine was shown to be safe in clinical trials. As with other new vaccines, safety monitoring will continue.
Expected Time for Availablility of R21 vaccine
At least 28 countries in Africa plan to introduce a WHO-recommended malaria vaccine as part of their national immunization programmes. Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance has approved providing technical and financial support to roll out malaria vaccines to 18 countries. The RTS,S vaccine will be rolled out in some African countries in early 2024, and the R21 malaria vaccine is expected to become available to countries mid-2024.
https://todaynewslife.com/nobel-prize-in-physiology-or-medicine-2023-mrna-vaccines-for-covid-19/
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