By Abdulkarim Bashir Musa
Malaria, a centuries-old scourge on humanity, has long been a relentless adversary, claiming the lives of countless babies, infants, and individuals across the globe. For over a century, scientists have labored tirelessly to develop effective vaccines against this complex parasitic disease, which is transmitted through the bite of blood-sucking mosquitoes. Now, a momentous breakthrough has emerged from the laboratories of the University of Oxford, as the World Health Organization (WHO) gives its stamp of approval to a second malaria vaccine, offering a ray of hope in the battle against this ancient menace.
The new vaccine, known as R21, represents a significant milestone in the quest to conquer malaria. Unlike conventional vaccines, malaria is a formidable adversary because of its constant shape-shifting within the human body, effectively evading the immune system. Developing a vaccine against such a wily foe has proven to be a formidable challenge, taking over a century of scientific effort. However, R21, the brainchild of the University of Oxford, stands as a testament to human perseverance and innovation.
What sets R21 apart from its predecessor, RTS,S, developed by GSK, is its scalability. With agreements in place to manufacture more than 100 million doses annually, R21 offers a far more readily available option for countries grappling with the burden of malaria. The Serum Institute of India, the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer, is poised to play a pivotal role in producing this life-saving vaccine, with plans to scale up to a staggering 200 million doses per year. In contrast, the availability of RTS,S doses currently stands at a mere 18 million.
Affordability is another key advantage of R21. Priced at just $2-4 per dose, it costs approximately half as much as RTS,S. This affordability is particularly crucial, given that four doses are needed per person. These cost savings could make a significant difference in resource-constrained regions, where the battle against malaria is most fierce.
Both R21 and RTS,S employ similar technologies and target the same stage of the malaria parasite’s lifecycle. However, R21 enjoys an edge in ease of manufacturing. Requiring smaller doses and a simpler adjuvant, which is the chemical that stimulates the immune system, R21 promises a smoother and more efficient production process.
The significance of this breakthrough cannot be overstated, especially considering the devastating impact of malaria in 2021. With 247 million reported cases and 619,000 deaths, the majority of whom were children under the age of five, malaria remains a formidable threat, predominantly concentrated in Africa, where over 95% of cases are reported.
Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO regional director for Africa, recognizes the life-saving potential of the second vaccine, stating, “This second vaccine holds real potential to close the huge demand-and-supply gap. Delivered to scale and rolled out widely, the two vaccines can help bolster malaria prevention, control efforts and save hundreds of thousands of young lives.” Data, although not yet peer-reviewed, suggests that the R21 vaccine is 75% effective in areas where malaria is seasonal, a figure comparable to its predecessor, RTS,S, under similar conditions.
In regions where malaria is endemic year-round, the effectiveness of these vaccines tends to diminish. Nevertheless, the hope that R21 offers is undeniable. Prof. Sir Adrian Hill, director of the Jenner Institute in Oxford, where R21 was conceived, expresses the optimism surrounding the vaccine, stating, “The vaccine is easily deployable, cost-effective, and affordable, ready for distribution in areas where it is needed most, with the potential to save hundreds of thousands of lives a year.”
Despite this promising development, it is crucial to remain vigilant in the fight against malaria. Gareth Jenkins, from Malaria No More UK, underscores the persistent challenges ahead, “The reality is that malaria financing globally is far from where it needs to be, and annual deaths from malaria rose during the pandemic and are still above pre-pandemic levels, so we cannot afford to be complacent as new tools are developed.”
In conclusion, the approval of the University of Oxford’s R21 malaria vaccine by the World Health Organization marks a significant stride forward in the ongoing battle against this relentless disease. With its scalability, affordability, and potential to save countless lives, R21 stands as a beacon of hope in a world where malaria continues to claim innocent lives. As the global community rallies behind this groundbreaking vaccine, there is renewed optimism that we may finally turn the tide in the fight against malaria, bringing us one step closer to a world free from this ancient scourge.
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