Malawi recently launched the world’s first malaria vaccine in a pivotal pilot program.
The country is the first of three African nations in which the vaccine will be made available to children up to two years old. Ghana and Kenya will introduce the vaccine in the coming weeks.
The vaccine, known as RTS,S is the result of 30 years of effort, and in those decades has shown itself to be the only malaria vaccine with the ability to reduce the disease’s presence in children. Given that the disease kills more than 250,000 children in Africa each year, that vaccine’s ability to prevent approximately four in 10 cases in clinical trials gives hope for the salvation of many lives.
“Malaria is a constant threat in the African communities where this vaccine will be given. The poorest children suffer the most and are at highest risk of death,” Matshidiso Moeti, World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, said. “We know the power of vaccines to prevent killer diseases and reach children, including those who may not have immediate access to the doctors, nurses and health facilities they need to save them when severe illness comes. This is a day to celebrate as we begin to learn more about what this tool can do to change the trajectory of malaria through childhood vaccination.”
The pilot program marks a turnaround from what WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says has been a stall or reversal of progress in some areas over the years. Scientists will examine its effects on child deaths, vaccine uptake and vaccine safety under routine use. It is meant to be complemented by insecticide-laced bed nets, indoor insecticide spraying, and malaria testing and treatment.
WHO is coordinating the program with the three nations’ respective ministries of health and both regional and international partners organizations. They are optimistic that the program will reach around 360,000 children per year, following a regimen of 4 doses that will be dispersed between five months of age and children’s second birthday.
“Delivering the world’s first malaria vaccine will help reduce the burden of one of the most pressing health challenges globally. This novel tool is the result of GSK employees collaborating with their partners, applying the latest in vaccine science to contribute to the fight against malaria,” Thomas Breuer, Chief Medical Officer of GSK Vaccines, said. “We look forward to seeing the results of the pilot, and in parallel, are working with WHO and PATH to secure the vaccine’s sustained global health impact in the future.”