World Health Organization Begins Malaria Vaccination Campaign in Africa
The fight against malaria in Africa reaches a significant milestone as the World Health Organization (WHO) launches the first-ever malaria vaccination campaign for children. With the distribution of nearly 30 million doses in the coming months, this campaign marks a crucial step forward in combating the tropical disease that has claimed countless lives.
The vaccination campaign will begin in Cameroon, where children will receive the malaria vaccine developed by UK pharmaceutical company GSK. This vaccine will be rolled out in up to 12 countries across sub-Saharan Africa. Additionally, a second vaccination, developed by scientists at Oxford University and produced by the Serum Institute of India, is set to be delivered in seven countries in May or June.
The distribution of the initial 18 million doses of the GSK vaccine is a significant turning point in the fight against malaria. In 2022 alone, this preventable disease caused by parasites transmitted by mosquitoes claimed the lives of 608,000 people, with 95% of them in Africa. Aurélia Nguyen, chief program officer at Gavi, the global vaccine alliance working with African countries, emphasizes the positive impact of this vaccination campaign. She states, “The vaccination will save lives, provide major relief for families and the country’s health system, and yield important economic dividends.”
Children under the age of five are particularly vulnerable to malaria. The GSK RTS, S vaccine has already been administered to nearly 2 million children in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi as part of a pilot program. WHO studies have shown a 30% reduction in severe malaria symptoms among vaccinated children.
The interest in receiving malaria vaccines extends beyond Cameroon and the pilot program countries. More than 30 countries across Africa have expressed their desire to receive these life-saving jabs. Gavi is currently distributing up to 18 million doses of the RTS, S vaccine, followed by an estimated 10 million doses of the R21/Matrix-M jab in seven countries by mid-2024.
While the WHO recommended the GSK vaccine for widespread use in 2021, it also gave its backing to the Oxford vaccine in October. However, the vaccination campaign does face logistical challenges. Children will need four shots within two years of their birth, posing difficulties for health teams to reach families in remote areas. Health leaders are considering aligning malaria vaccinations with other routine shots, such as those for measles, to increase the uptake of all four doses.
Dorothy Achu, regional malaria adviser for the WHO, acknowledges the challenges and emphasizes the importance of community strategies to ensure children in hard-to-reach areas receive their vaccinations. Adrian Hill, one of the Oxford scientists involved in developing the R21 vaccine, criticizes the WHO for what he perceives as a lack of urgency in distributing the jab by mid-2024.
Oxford’s partnership with the Serum Institute of India, the world’s largest vaccine maker, allows for the production of their vaccine on a much larger scale than GSK’s. The Serum Institute of India has already produced 20 million doses and has the capacity to produce 100 million shots per year. However, Nguyen reaffirms the mid-year target for distribution, stating that the R21 vaccine is still in the early stages of manufacturing and will become available in May or June.
While these two vaccines are significant advancements, Nguyen emphasizes the need for continued innovation. She highlights the importance of developing vaccines that require fewer doses, are more affordable, and easier to administer. The fight against malaria continues, and with each step forward, more lives can be saved and communities can thrive.
In conclusion, the launch of the malaria vaccination campaign in Africa is a monumental moment in the battle against this deadly disease. With millions of doses set to be distributed across the continent, children will have access to life-saving vaccines that will not only protect them but also have far-reaching benefits for families, health systems, and economies. The challenges of logistics and reaching remote areas must be addressed, but the commitment to innovation and ongoing efforts to develop more effective vaccines give hope for a future where malaria is no longer a threat in Africa.
