Malaria vaccine news

Here are some recent news updates on malaria vaccine development and deployment:

Recent Developments:

  1. World's first malaria vaccine approved: In October 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) approved the RTS,S vaccine, also known as Mosquirix, for use in children in areas where malaria is common. The vaccine is the first to be approved for use against malaria, a disease that kills over 400,000 people every year, mostly children under the age of five.
  2. Pilot program launched in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi: In 2021, a pilot program was launched in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi to introduce the RTS,S vaccine into routine immunization programs. The program aims to vaccinate over 360,000 children in the three countries.
  3. New vaccine candidate shows promise: In 2020, researchers announced the development of a new malaria vaccine candidate, known as R21, which has shown promising results in early clinical trials. The vaccine targets a specific protein on the surface of the malaria parasite and has been shown to be effective in preventing severe malaria.
  4. Malaria vaccine development receives funding boost: In 2020, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation announced a $200 million investment in malaria vaccine development, including funding for the development of new vaccine candidates and the expansion of pilot programs.

Recent Research:

  1. Study finds RTS,S vaccine effective in preventing severe malaria: A study published in The Lancet in 2020 found that the RTS,S vaccine was effective in preventing severe malaria in children in Africa. The study found that the vaccine reduced the risk of severe malaria by 30% and the risk of hospitalization by 25%.
  2. Researchers identify new target for malaria vaccine development: A study published in Nature Medicine in 2020 identified a new target for malaria vaccine development, a protein called PfRH5. The study found that a vaccine targeting PfRH5 was effective in preventing malaria in mice and monkeys.
  3. Malaria vaccine development faces challenges: A study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases in 2020 highlighted the challenges facing malaria vaccine development, including the need for more effective and durable vaccines, as well as the need for better understanding of the immune response to malaria.

Global Response:

  1. Global malaria control efforts: The WHO and other global health organizations are working to control malaria through a range of strategies, including insecticide-treated bed nets, indoor residual spraying, and antimalarial drugs.
  2. Malaria elimination efforts: Some countries, such as Brazil and Sri Lanka, have made significant progress in eliminating malaria, and efforts are underway to eliminate the disease in other countries.
  3. International cooperation: International cooperation is essential for malaria control and elimination efforts, and organizations such as the WHO, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation are working together to support these efforts.

I hope this information is helpful!