Adar Poonawalla emphasized that the vaccine would contribute to saving numerous lives affected by malaria in Africa.
Serum Institute of India (SII) CEO Adar Poonawalla announced a momentous achievement in the global health arena, with the World Health Organization (WHO) endorsing the R21/Matrix-M anti-malaria vaccine. This endorsement is a result of the successful collaboration between SII and Oxford University. The vaccine is a significant development, particularly for Africa, where malaria has taken a heavy toll.
Adar Poonawalla emphasized that the R21/Matrix-M vaccine will save lives in Africa and bridge the critical gap between vaccine demand and supply. It's the second malaria vaccine endorsed by the WHO, with a notable feature being its cost-effective large-scale production, which ensures a more widespread availability.
Poonawalla thanked WHO and Dr. Tedros for reaching this remarkable milestone, highlighting the importance of international cooperation in global health efforts. This achievement marks a significant step forward in the fight against malaria and promises a brighter future for affected regions.
SII Malaria Vaccine Efficacy and Availability
This malaria vaccine has received licenses for use in Ghana, Nigeria, and Burkina Faso, based on pre-clinical and clinical trial data demonstrating its safety and high efficacy in regions with both seasonal and perennial malaria transmission across four countries. As a result, the R21/Matrix-M vaccine has earned the distinction of being the world's second WHO-recommended vaccine for children to combat malaria.
The UN health agency reported that the vaccine's efficacy over a 12-month period stood at 75% in areas with higher malaria transmission and 68% in regions with more consistent transmission when administered according to standard age-based guidelines. However, over the first year of follow-up, the vaccine's effectiveness diminished in both seasonal and perennial transmission areas. The administration of a booster dose to children in these regions restored efficacy to 74% over 18 months.
Notably, the vaccine induced significantly higher levels of antibodies in the 5–17-month age group compared to the 18–36-month-olds.
Regarding the availability and cost of the anti-malaria vaccine, it is anticipated to be accessible by mid-2024, with each dose priced between $2 and $4. The addition of R21 to the WHO's list of recommended malaria vaccines is expected to ensure a sufficient vaccine supply for all children in regions where malaria poses a public health risk. Adar Poonawalla, in an interview, mentioned that over 20 million doses had already been produced in anticipation of the WHO's recommendation, expressing hope that demand and supply will be well-balanced by 2024.
