#### World Health Organization Recommends Highly Effective Malaria Vaccine for Global Use
*Mon Oct 2, 2023 6:35 p.m. CEST*
A major breakthrough has been made in the fight against malaria as the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended the widespread use of the R21/Matrix-M vaccine, developed by the University of Oxford. This groundbreaking vaccine is the second to be recommended by the WHO and the first to meet the organization’s target of 75% efficacy.
Malaria, a deadly mosquito-borne disease, claims the lives of half a million people annually, predominantly affecting children under the age of five and pregnant women. The introduction of this highly effective vaccine is expected to bring significant relief to regions burdened by malaria.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director general of the WHO, expressed his excitement about the new vaccine, stating, “As a malaria researcher, I used to dream of the day we would have a safe and effective vaccine against malaria. Now we have two.”
The first WHO-recommended malaria vaccine, RTS,S, was approved in 2021. However, its availability is limited. The introduction of the R21 vaccine is expected to protect more children faster and bring the world closer to a malaria-free future, according to Dr Tedros.
In terms of availability, the RTS,S vaccine will be accessible in some African countries in early 2024, while the R21 malaria vaccine is projected to be available in mid-2024.
The Serum Institute of India, the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer, has already committed to producing more than 100 million doses of the R21 vaccine annually, with plans to scale up to 200 million doses. Each dose is estimated to cost between $2 and $4, making it more affordable than the RTS,S vaccine. Currently, there are only 18 million doses of RTS,S.
Dr Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO’s regional director for Africa, highlighted the potential impact of the R21 vaccine, stating, “This second vaccine holds real potential to close the huge demand-and-supply gap. Delivered to scale and rolled out widely, the two vaccines can help bolster malaria prevention and control efforts and save hundreds of thousands of young lives in Africa from this deadly disease.”
Approximately 28 African countries are planning to introduce the WHO-recommended malaria vaccine as part of their national immunization programs. Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, has approved support for the distribution of malaria vaccines in 18 countries.
Observers have applauded the announcement, recognizing it as a significant step forward. However, they caution that the vaccine should not be considered a “magic bullet” and should be used in conjunction with other preventive measures such as insecticide-treated nets and indoor spraying.
Dr Michael Charles, the chief executive of the RBM Partnership to End Malaria, emphasized the importance of continued investment in malaria prevention and control efforts. He stated, “Further investment must be urgently mobilized to scale up, manufacture, and roll out malaria vaccines to ensure they are readily accessible to countries that decide to use them.”
Although the new vaccines bring hope, experts acknowledge the challenges posed by insecticide and drug resistance, climate change, and funding shortfalls. Enhancing the fight against malaria requires sustained commitment and a comprehensive approach.
Megan Greischar, an assistant professor at Cornell University, stressed the importance of recognizing that vaccines alone cannot achieve the goal of malaria elimination. She explained, “Vaccines will not, on their own, meet the goal of malaria elimination, except perhaps in places like the US where transmission is already rare. In areas where malaria is common, evolution – both of insecticide resistance in mosquitoes and drug resistance in malaria parasites – continues to erode public health gains by making existing tools less effective.”
The endorsement of the R21/Matrix-M vaccine by the WHO marks a major milestone in the fight against malaria. However, it highlights the need for continued efforts and investments to overcome the remaining hurdles in eradicating this deadly disease.
*This article was created with excerpts from a news release provided by [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/oct/02/malaria-vaccine-world-health-organisation-uk-oxford-university). The content has been modified for clarity and length.*