• Groundbreaking Malaria Vaccine Approved by WHO, Promising to Save Thousands of Lives

  • Sep 14 2024
  • Duración: 3 m
  • Podcast

Groundbreaking Malaria Vaccine Approved by WHO, Promising to Save Thousands of Lives

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  • In a groundbreaking announcement from the World Health Organization, the first-ever malaria vaccine, known as Mosquirix (RTS,S/AS01), has been approved, marking a monumental step in the fight against one of the world's deadliest diseases. This approval is a culmination of decades of research and development and represents a major victory for global public health.

    Malaria, caused by Plasmodium parasites transmitted through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes, has been a significant health threat globally, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the majority of malaria deaths occur. Despite the availability of preventative measures and treatment options, there were an estimated 241 million cases of malaria worldwide in 2020, leading to 627,000 deaths, according to WHO data. Most of the victims are children under five years old in Africa.

    The Mosquirix vaccine works by targeting the Plasmodium falciparum parasite, the most deadly malaria parasite globally and the most prevalent in Africa. During the clinical trials, the vaccine was found to have about a 50% efficacy rate in preventing malaria in children. While this efficacy rate may not seem high compared to typical rates for other vaccines, for malaria, it is considered a significant breakthrough given the complexity of the parasite, which has shown an ability to evolve resistance to other forms of prevention.

    The development of Mosquirix was led by GlaxoSmithKline in partnership with the PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative, with major funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. It is the first licensed vaccine that can reduce malaria and life-threatening severe malaria, which can lead to rapid death in children.

    The approval of this vaccine by the World Health Organization follows the positive scientific opinion from the European Medicines Agency and is recommended for use in children from five months old who are at risk of malaria transmission. It involves a four-dose schedule, which includes three doses between five and nine months of age and a fourth dose around the age of two.

    This historic approval is expected to drastically reduce the number of deaths and illnesses caused by malaria, especially among African children who are most vulnerable to the disease. It also opens the path for future innovations in vaccine research and development against other parasitic diseases.

    Furthermore, the World Health Organization has recommended that the vaccination be introduced in areas with moderate to high transmission as part of a comprehensive malaria control strategy, which includes the use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets, indoor spraying with insecticides, and timely access to malaria testing and treatment.

    This vaccine is a vital tool in the global strategy to reduce the incidence and severity of malaria and is a step forward in the global commitment to ending the malaria epidemic by 2030. Experts anticipate that widespread use of this vaccine could save tens of thousands of young lives each year. Governments and international health organizations are now tasked with the challenge of implementing effective vaccination programs to ensure that all at-risk populations have access to this life-saving vaccine.
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