In a groundbreaking move, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has endorsed a second malaria vaccine, potentially providing countries with a more affordable and readily available alternative to the first shot against the parasitic disease. The R21/Matrix-M, developed by Oxford University in the UK, has been deemed suitable for curbing the life-threatening disease transmitted by certain mosquitoes, as announced by WHO on Monday.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed his excitement about having two safe and effective malaria vaccines, highlighting the significance of this development. The R21/Matrix-M vaccine, manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, has already gained approval for use in Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Nigeria. The vaccine is set to be rolled out in those African countries in early 2024, with availability in other regions expected by mid-2024. Tedros mentioned that the vaccine doses would be priced between $2 to $4.

The WHO is currently reviewing the vaccine for pre-qualification, which would grant it the organisation’s stamp of approval, allowing global entities like GAVI and UNICEF to procure the vaccine from manufacturers.

Developed as a three-dose vaccine, the R21/Matrix-M has demonstrated more than 75 percent effectiveness, with protection sustained for at least a year when boosted. Despite this significant step forward, it’s important to note that neither of the available malaria vaccines halts transmission, necessitating comprehensive efforts beyond immunisation campaigns.

The WHO also recommended Takeda Pharmaceuticals’ vaccine, Qdenga, against dengue for children aged six to 16 in areas where the infection poses a significant public health risk. Dengue, a viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes, is prevalent in tropical and subtropical climates. While Qdenga showed efficacy against all four serotypes of the virus in previously infected individuals, uncertainty remains about its performance against serotypes 3 and 4 in those without prior infection.