WHO Recommends Second Malaria Vaccine for Children

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended a second malaria vaccine, R21/Matrix-M, a significant step in the fight against malaria in children. This recommendation follows advice from expert groups within the WHO and is a major advancement for public health, particularly in malaria-endemic regions. Developed by the University of Oxford and the Serum Institute of India, the R21 vaccine joins the RTS,S vaccine as a crucial tool to prevent Plasmodium falciparum malaria in young children. According to the WHO, demand for malaria vaccines far exceeds supply, making the addition of R21 vital for protecting more children more rapidly and moving closer to the goal of a malaria-free future. Both vaccines have demonstrated safety and effectiveness in preventing malaria in young children. With nearly half a million children dying annually from this mosquito-borne disease, these vaccines offer a promising complementary prevention strategy. At least 28 African countries are planning to introduce a WHO-recommended malaria vaccine into their national immunization programs, with RTS,S expected in early 2024 and R21 anticipated in mid-2024, according to the WHO.