The World Health Organization granted full regulatory approval to R21/Matrix-M, a malaria vaccine developed by the University of Oxford and manufactured by the Serum Institute of India. Phase 3 clinical trials confirmed 89% efficacy against clinical malaria in children under five — the highest efficacy ever achieved by any malaria vaccine.
Malaria kills approximately 600,000 people every year, the majority of them children under five in sub-Saharan Africa. The first WHO-approved malaria vaccine, RTS,S, offered just 36-40% protection.
Distribution Plans
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, has committed funding to procure 100 million doses annually at a negotiated price of $3.50 per dose, making the vaccine accessible to the lowest-income countries. Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ethiopia are expected to begin national vaccination campaigns within 18 months.
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Interesting piece but I feel the article undersells the counterarguments from the opposing side. Paragraph 4 gives them one sentence when they arguably deserve more space.
The article would benefit from including voices from the communities most directly affected, rather than primarily quoting experts and officials. The people on the ground often have a different and equally valid perspective.
I respectfully disagree with the conclusion drawn in the final paragraph. The data supports a more cautious interpretation. But it's a stimulating read nonetheless.