World-first roll out of malaria vaccine begins

23 January 2024, 08:07
Contributor: Linda Ravenhill

Adapted from GAVI Press Release: Geneva/New York/Copenhagen, 22 November 2023

Shipments of the world's first WHO-recommended malaria vaccine, RTS,S, have commenced, marking a pivotal moment in the fight against malaria. The initial delivery of 331,200 doses arrived in Yaoundé, Cameroon, representing the first country outside the malaria vaccine pilot program to receive the vaccine. With almost one child under five succumbing to malaria every minute, the urgency of scaling up vaccination in high-risk African regions is evident. In 2021, there were 247 million global malaria cases, resulting in 619,000 deaths, with Africa bearing the highest burden.

The RTS,S vaccine, administered in a four-dose schedule, is set to reach Burkina Faso, Liberia, Niger, and Sierra Leone in the coming weeks, with additional African nations slated for doses in the following months. The comprehensive introduction of the vaccine into routine immunization programs involves extensive preparations, including training healthcare workers, enhancing infrastructure, ensuring vaccine storage, fostering community engagement, and aligning rollout with other health interventions. The vaccine's deployment presents an additional challenge due to its four-dose schedule.

The Malaria Vaccine Implementation Programme (MVIP), initiated in 2019 in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi, demonstrated a 13% reduction in all-cause mortality in eligible children, coupled with significant declines in severe malaria illness and hospitalizations. The positive outcomes influenced the recent WHO recommendation of a second malaria vaccine, R21, manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, currently under review for prequalification. The availability of two vaccines is anticipated to meet the escalating demand, potentially saving tens of thousands of lives annually. However, malaria vaccines are emphasized as part of a broader strategy that includes preventive measures like insecticide-treated nets and effective case management.

 

Access the source information

22 January 2023 Gavi.org: Shipments to African countries herald final steps toward broader vaccination against malaria
22 January 2023: WHO Int: Shipments to African countries herald final steps toward broader vaccination against malaria: Gavi, WHO and UNICEF

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