• Pioneering Malaria Vaccines Offer Hope: RTS,S and R21 Vaccines Revolutionize the Fight Against Deadly Disease

  • Apr 6 2025
  • Length: 3 mins
  • Podcast

Pioneering Malaria Vaccines Offer Hope: RTS,S and R21 Vaccines Revolutionize the Fight Against Deadly Disease

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  • Summary

  • In the ongoing fight against malaria, significant advancements and recent developments have marked a new era in the global effort to combat this debilitating disease.

    At the forefront of these developments is the malaria vaccine, with two vaccines, RTS,S and R21, now recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for widespread use. The RTS,S vaccine, also known as Mosquirix, was the first to receive a WHO recommendation in October 2021. It is administered in four doses to children between 5 months and 17 months, with the first three doses given monthly and a booster dose at 15-18 months. This vaccine has shown efficacy of about 40% against malaria cases and 30% against severe malaria, and it has been proven to reduce all-cause mortality by 13% in children[2][4].

    More recently, the R21 vaccine, which is similar to RTS,S but potentially more cost-effective, was prequalified by the WHO in December 2023. Both vaccines have demonstrated substantial reductions in malaria cases and deaths in children. In highly seasonal transmission areas, these vaccines can prevent up to 75% of malaria episodes when administered seasonally[4].

    The rollout of these vaccines is well underway, with 17 countries in Africa having introduced them into their childhood immunization programs as of December 2024. Additional countries are expected to follow suit in 2025. The demand for these vaccines is unprecedented, but the availability of two safe and effective options is expected to meet this demand, potentially saving tens of thousands of young lives annually[4].

    The introduction of these vaccines is part of a broader strategy to reinvigorate malaria control efforts. Despite significant progress since the late 1990s, which saw an estimated 2.2 billion cases and 12.7 million deaths prevented, progress has stalled in recent years. Malaria still claims an estimated one life every minute, primarily in the WHO African Region. The WHO and its partners are advocating for increased investment in malaria control and elimination programs, emphasizing the need to reinvest in proven interventions, reimagine strategies to overcome current obstacles, and reignite collective efforts to accelerate progress towards ending malaria[5].

    On World Malaria Day 2025, themed "Malaria Ends with Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite," the global community is being called upon to re-energize efforts at all levels, from global policy to community action. This campaign aims to promote innovative strategies, prioritize country ownership, and engage communities in data-driven approaches to tackle the evolving challenges in malaria control[5].

    In summary, the recent news highlights the critical role of malaria vaccines in the fight against this disease. With the RTS,S and R21 vaccines now in use and more countries set to introduce them, there is renewed hope for reducing malaria-related illnesses and deaths, especially among children in high-burden areas. The global community is being urged to maintain and increase efforts to ensure that malaria control and elimination programs remain a priority.
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