This is an historic moment. The first ever malaria vaccine for children has been approved in sub-Saharan Africa. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (director general of the World Health Organization) stated in a statement that the long-awaited vaccine against malaria for children is a breakthrough in science, child health, and malaria control.
Malaria is caused by a parasite that is spread through the bites from infected mosquitoes. It causes more than 400,000 deaths each year in sub-Saharan Africa. People use insecticide-treated nets to prevent spread and drug treatments.
RTS,S, or Mosquirix is a vaccine that contains a portion of the parasite protein bound to a part of the hepatitis B protein. This allows immune cells to recognize the substance. It is available in four doses starting at 5 months old.
Bruce MacQueen/Alamy transmit malaria to humans through mosquitoes.
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The WHO stated yesterday that trials have shown that the vaccine can reduce the number of cases of deadly or severe malaria by 30% even in areas with widespread use of bed nets. This is less effective than vaccines for other diseases, such as the 60-90% effectiveness of some covid-19 vaccinations against severe illness.
In the latest trials, it was also shown that bed nets were still used by families who had their children immunized.
Nanthalile Mugala, an international non-profit organisation working for malaria development, said that approving the vaccine for general use will increase equity in access to malaria prevention.
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