The World Health Organisation (WHO) has officially endorsed the Oxford University-developed R21 malaria vaccine, marking a significant leap forward in the fight against this deadly disease.
Malaria, a mosquito-borne illness, claims hundreds of thousands of lives each year, with children under the age of 5 being the most vulnerable. The R21 vaccine, which has shown promising results in clinical trials, offers renewed hope in the battle to eradicate malaria worldwide.
The WHO’s endorsement comes after an extensive evaluation of the vaccine’s safety, efficacy, and potential impact on public health. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO, hailed this development as a major milestone in malaria prevention efforts. He expressed optimism that the R21 vaccine would help save countless lives and contribute significantly to reaching the global goal of eliminating malaria by 2030.
The R21 vaccine, developed by a team of scientists at the renowned Jenner Institute, proved highly effective in early clinical trials conducted across several malaria-endemic regions.
These trials demonstrated a remarkable 77% reduction in the incidence of malaria among vaccinated individuals compared to those who received a placebo.
“Today, we celebrate the emergence of the second-ever malaria vaccine, known as R21, after the initial endorsement of RTS,S by GSK almost two years ago,” a visibly delighted. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the WHO said.
“I used to dream of the day we would have a safe and effective vaccine against malaria; now we have two.”
This dual endorsement signifies a turning point in the ongoing battle against this deadly disease.
In stark contrast, only 18 million doses of RTS,S are currently available. This stark disparity in production capabilities positions the University of Oxford’s R21 as a game-changer in the fight against malaria.
With 247 million cases reported in 2021, resulting in 619,000 deaths, mostly among children under five, malaria remains a significant public health threat. Africa bears more than 95% of the global malaria burden.
Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO Regional Director for Africa, emphasised the transformative potential of the R21 vaccine.
“This second vaccine holds real potential to close the huge demand-and-supply gap. Delivered to scale and rolled out widely, the two vaccines can help bolster malaria prevention and control efforts and save hundreds of thousands of young lives,” she said.
What sets this groundbreaking development apart is not just the availability of a second effective vaccine but also its affordability. Each dose of R21 costs between US$2-4, with four doses required per person.
This cost-effectiveness ensures that this life-saving intervention can be accessible to the most vulnerable populations, paving the way for a brighter, healthier future for millions of people worldwide.
The focus now shifts towards ensuring equitable access to the vaccine, especially for populations that are most susceptible to malaria. The WHO, in collaboration with partner organisations and governments, plans to initiate comprehensive vaccination campaigns in high-risk areas, prioritising vulnerable groups such as children and pregnant women.
As the world grapples with numerous health challenges, the WHO’s endorsement of the R21 malaria vaccine signifies a beacon of hope and a testament to the power of scientific innovation.
