WHO Gives Nod to Second Malaria Vaccine in Global Health Breakthrough
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has approved a second malaria vaccine, offering a cheaper and more readily available option to fight the deadly disease. The new jab, R21/Matrix-M, developed by Oxford University, is set to shake up malaria prevention worldwide.
Life-Saving Jab to Roll Out Across Africa in 2024
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus hailed the arrival of two safe, effective malaria vaccines as a “game changer”. The Serum Institute of India manufactures R21/Matrix-M, already approved for use in Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Nigeria. Rollout in these countries will start early next year, with other regions expected to follow by mid-2024.
Crucially, the vaccine will cost between $2 and $4 a dose, making it affordable for low-income nations battling the mosquito-borne killer.
WHO’s Final Approval Pending, But Effectiveness is Impressive
Currently under WHO pre-qualification review, official approval will let global health giants like GAVI and UNICEF buy and distribute the jab worldwide. The vaccine requires three doses and boasts over 75% efficacy, with protection lasting at least a year when boosted.
However, the WHO warns vaccines alone won’t stop malaria spread – tackling the disease requires broader efforts beyond immunisation.
WHO Also Backs Dengue Vaccine for Kids
In a separate move, WHO recommended Takeda Pharmaceuticals’ Qdenga vaccine for children aged six to 16 in dengue hotspot areas. Dengue fever, another mosquito-carried virus, remains a major health threat in tropical zones.
Qdenga protects against all four dengue virus types in those previously infected, but its effectiveness in dengue-naïve individuals against serotypes 3 and 4 needs more research.
