Rollout of world’s second malaria vaccine begins in Ivory Coast
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Ivory Coast administered the first doses of the world’s second malaria vaccine this week, according to the vaccine’s manufacturers, marking the latest development in a decades-long effort to control the deadly mosquito-borne disease.
The vaccine, called R21/Matrix-M, was recommended by WHO for widespread use last year. It uses an antigen created at Oxford University in England and an adjuvant manufactured by Novavax.
The rollout began in the Ivorian city of Abidjan and is expected to eventually include at least 15 African countries by the end of this year, according to a press release issued by Oxford and Novavax.
The plan is to vaccinate approximately 6.6 million children in 2024 and 2025 using doses manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, which is offering the vaccine at less than $4 per dose, according to the release.
To mark the start of the new vaccination campaign, we put together a list of recent stories about the ongoing effort to control malaria.
WHO: Global malaria cases surpass pre-COVID levels
Globally, nearly 250 million cases of malaria were reported in 2022 — an increase of 16 million over the 2019 total, according to a WHO report that raised concerns about the effects of climate on transmission. Read more.
Wider malaria vaccine rollout begins in Africa
A wider rollout of the world’s first malaria vaccine began earlier this year when Cameroon became the fourth country to launch a vaccination program using the shot, which is called RTS,S. Read more.
Malaria vaccines: A first for parasitic diseases
Last year, we checked in with some experts to get their feedback on the two malaria vaccines and where the world stands in its fight against the disease. Read more.
Florida, Texas report first locally acquired malaria cases in US since 2003
Also last year, the United States recorded its first locally acquired malaria cases in more than 2 decades, although the CDC said the risk of being infected in the U.S. remains low. Read more.
Dose of monoclonal antibody protects children from malaria
Researchers are also studying monoclonal antibodies to protect people against malaria. This one was up to 77% effective against clinical malaria in children and up to 70% effective against infection with the most common malaria parasite. Read more.
Azithromycin does not reduce malaria, STI risk for pregnant women at delivery
A study found that adding azithromycin to daily trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole preventive therapy for pregnant women with HIV did not reduce their risk for malaria or bacterial STIs at delivery. Read more.
‘Parasitic plight’: AI generates didactic poems about malaria
While reporting on the possible applications of AI in the field of infectious diseases, we found one we were not expecting: Researchers used an AI chatbot to create poems to help teach trainees about malaria. Read more.
References:
- Côte d’Ivoire makes history as first nation to deploy R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine, codeveloped by the University of Oxford and the Serum Institute of India. https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2024-07-15-c-te-d-ivoire-makes-history-first-nation-deploy-r21matrix-m-malaria-vaccine. Published July 15, 2024. Accessed July 16, 2024.
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