Global vaccine alliance GAVI announced the rollout of 18 million doses of the malaria vaccine.
Malaria is one of Africa’s most dangerous diseases: it kills almost half a million children on the continent every year. Furthermore, Africa accounted for 95% of global malaria cases and 96% of deaths in 2021, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Now, global vaccine alliance GAVI has announced the rollout of 18 million doses of the malaria vaccine across 12 African countries, including nine nations that have not previously had access to the vaccine.
Malaria – Africa’s most deadly disease
Malaria is the African continent’s most deadly disease. As pointed out above, the continent accounts for about 95% of cases and 96% of fatalities. These numbers are made particularly stark by the WHO’s estimation of 247 million worldwide malaria cases in 2021.
The life-threatening disease spreads to humans by some types of mosquitoes – the most dangerous African animal. It is caused by a parasite, and so is not transmissible between humans, although blood transfusion and contaminated needles can transmit the disease.
The most vulnerable to severe infection include children under five, pregnant women, travellers, and people with HIV or AIDS.
Symptoms often manifest within ten days of infection and include headache, fever, chills, fatigue, and dark or bloody urine, among others.
The vaccine – rolling out across 12 African nations
One way to reduce the risk of contracting malaria is by avoiding mosquito bites. The WHO recommends using mosquito nets when sleeping in places where malaria is present, using mosquito repellents, and wearing protective clothing.
Another measure is through immunisation. Since 2019, the WHO has administered the RTS,S/AS01 vaccine for malaria in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi. It found the vaccine “safe and effective”. 1.7 million children have received the vaccine in these three countries.
In addition to Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi, the vaccine will now be available in nine new African countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Niger, Sierra Leone, and Uganda.
The first of the 18 million doses will arrive in these 12 nations during the final quarter of 2023.
Thabani Maphosa, managing director of delivery for GAVI, said, “This vaccine has the potential to be very impactful in the fight against malaria, and when broadly deployed alongside other interventions, it can prevent tens of thousands of deaths every year”.
The future – coping with demand for the vaccine
Production of the vaccine will require expansion: a further 16 African nations have requested access to the vaccine, and estimates suggest 60 million annual doses will be required by 2026.
British pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline currently produces the vaccine, while Indian company Bharat Biotech will help meet demands.
Director of immunisation, vaccines, and biologicals at the WHO, Dr Kate O’Brien, stressed the organisation’s commitment to rolling out this vaccine across affected countries: “We will work tirelessly to increase supply until all children at risk have access”.