Cameroon launched the world’s first routine vaccine programme against malaria on Monday.
It is one of 20 African countries planning to introduce the
drug this year, according to global vaccine alliance Gavi.
Here are some key facts:
The RTS,S malaria vaccine, developed by British
pharmaceutical GSK opens new lab and sold under the brand name Mosquirix, was
backed by the World Health Organisation in July 2022.
It underwent trials in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi.
It acts against P. falciparum, the deadliest strain of
malaria spread by anopheles mosquitoes, and the most common in Africa.
The vaccine is designed to be administered to young children
in four doses from around 5 months of age.
The vaccine has been in the making for nearly 40 years.
It was first created in 1987, according to GSK.
The drugmaker received funding to develop the RTS,S-based
vaccine for young children in 2001, it said.
In July 2023, 18 million doses of RTS,S available for
2023–2025 were allocated to 12 countries, prioritising those doses for where
the risk of malaria illness and death among children are highest, until vaccine
supply increases to fully meet demand.
The vaccine’s effectiveness is relatively low. GSK in 2015
published results of a large-scale clinical trial showing it reduced the risk
of severe malaria by around 30 per cent. However, some researchers say it could
be higher if given just ahead of the malaria season.
The fact that it must be administered across at least four
doses has raised concerns about the logistics of fully inoculating children in
remote areas.
More than 30 African countries have expressed interest in
introducing the vaccine.
The WHO estimates that 40-60 million doses will be required
each year by 2026, rising to 80-100 million by 2030.
Demand for the shot is likely to far outstrip supply for
several years, but the anticipated roll-out of a second vaccine should ease
these supply pressures.
The R21 vaccine, developed by Oxford University, could be
launched in May or June, according to Gavi.
It was pre-qualified by the WHO in December, a key
regulatory step. Reuters/NAN