The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended a second malaria vaccine for children, with the R21/Matrix-M vaccine, developed by Oxford University, already approved for use in Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Nigeria. The vaccine, developed by Oxford University, is expected to be rolled out in these African countries in early 2024 and available in mid-2024 in other countries. The vaccine is expected to cost between $2 and $4 and will be reviewed for prequalification by the WHO, enabling GAVI and UNICEF to purchase the vaccine from manufacturers. The vaccine is more than 75% effective and can be maintained for at least another year with a booster.
Malaria vaccines cannot prevent transmission, and resistance to drugs and invasive mosquito species complicate efforts. WHO recommends Takeda Pharmaceuticals’ dengue vaccine for children aged six to 16 in areas with significant public health issues, despite the lack of effective vaccines. The WHO’s strategic advisory group also recommended a simplified single dose regime for primary immunization for most COVID-19 vaccines to improve acceptance during a time when most people have had at least one prior infection.
