Breakthroughs in the Fight Against Malaria
Written By: Akanksha Manna
The potentially fatal parasitic disease known as malaria is spread to humans by the bites of infected mosquitoes. It continues to be a significant public health issue, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa where it is a major cause of disease and mortality among children. The creation of a novel malaria vaccine by researchers at the University of Oxford offers some optimism, though. This innovative vaccination has the power to eradicate malaria and perhaps save thousands of lives. The new malaria vaccine developed by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is called RTS,S/AS01156. It was first shown to be effective in 2015 and was recently recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for children at risk of malaria.. The vaccine should be provided in a schedule of 4 doses in children from 5 months of age for the reduction of malaria disease and burden. The Plasmodium falciparum parasite, which causes the most severe type of malaria, produces a protein called circumsporozoite that is the target of the RTS,S/AS01e malaria vaccine.A fragment of the circumsporozoite protein and a hepatitis B surface antigen, employed as an adjuvant to boost the immune response, are both present in the vaccination. By triggering an immune response that creates antibodies against the parasite and stimulates T cells, the vaccination works. In a pediatric African phase III trial, the vaccination has been found to stimulate memory and polyfunctional T cell responses. Additionally, it has been demonstrated that the vaccination lowers the initial inoculum of every blood stage and lowers the rate of new blood stage infections. Children who received four doses of the vaccine saw a 36% reduction in clinical malaria episodes, and a 26% reduction in clinical malaria episodes in babies.
The new malaria vaccine's key characteristics are listed as follows:
Effectiveness:
Clinical trials of the vaccine have yielded encouraging results, with up to 80% effectiveness in avoiding illness in young infants. This degree of protection is a notable accomplishment and provides hope for lowering the impact of malaria. The RTS,S/AS01 vaccine, which has undergone extensive testing in seven African nations, was discovered to be successful in preventing malaria in young infants. Over the course of seven years, more than 15,000 kids took part in the trial. Children aged 5 to 17 months benefited most from the vaccine, with a 77% decrease in clinical malaria incidence.
Affordability:
The new vaccine's accessibility is one of its main benefits. The vaccine's creators have already signed a contract to produce more than 100 million doses annually, ensuring universal accessibility. In order to reach the most vulnerable people, accessibility is essential. The vaccine costs about $5 per dosage, which is also not too expensive. Low-income nations, where the prevalence of malaria is highest, can now afford it.
Recommendation by WHO:
The World Health Organization (WHO) supports the new malaria vaccine and urges children in sub-Saharan Africa to use it widely. This support emphasizes how the vaccine could have a big influence on malaria prevention efforts. The vaccination should be administered in four doses, with the first dosage being administered at age 5 months, the second and third doses being administered at monthly intervals, and the fourth dose being administered 18 months following the third dose. In the upcoming years, the vaccine is anticipated to be implemented in a number of African nations.
Potential to save lives:
Over 260,000 African children under the age of five perish from malaria each year, making it the leading cause of pediatric sickness and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. According to WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the new vaccination has the potential to save tens of thousands of child lives each year. The vaccine could save tens of thousands of children's lives annually and represents a scientific, child health, and malaria control breakthrough. The vaccine can be used in conjunction with other malaria prevention and treatment methods; it is not a stand-alone remedy for the issue.
Conclusion:
The creation of the new malaria vaccine represents a significant advancement in the struggle against malaria. This vaccine has the potential to save countless lives and move us closer to a world free from the scourge of malaria thanks to its high efficacy, accessibility, and WHO endorsement. To increase the effectiveness and impact of malaria vaccinations, further research and development are required.
