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R21 malaria vaccine rollouts mark new era in global fight against malaria: Côte d'Ivoire and South Sudan lead the way

26 July 2024

In a significant step forward in the global fight against malaria, Côte d’Ivoire and South Sudan have become the first countries to administer the new R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine to children at risk. These groundbreaking initiatives mark a crucial moment in efforts to combat one of the world’s deadliest diseases.

Photo of child receiving a vaccine in South SudanA young child receives the R21 malaria vaccine in Aweil East, from Commissioner, Diing Aher, South Sudan, July 2024

Malaria is among the leading causes of death in children under five, who are most vulnerable to the disease and more likely to suffer severe consequences from infection because their immune systems are not fully developed. In 2022, there were 1.8 million confirmed malaria cases in Côte d’Ivoire, and over 1,500 deaths. In South Sudan, confirmed cases reached over 2.5 million, with over 4,400 deaths.

The R21 vaccine, developed by researchers at the University of Oxford in collaboration with the Serum Institute of India, has shown promising results in clinical trials. It is the second malaria vaccine to meet the World Health Organization’s benchmark of 75 percent efficacy in preventing the disease. Ghana made history by being the first nation to approve the vaccine for use. Subsequently, Côte d'Ivoire has taken a significant step by beginning its actual distribution on 15 July, followed by South Sudan on 16 July.

The vaccination campaigns follow the arrival of the first consignment of the R21 malaria vaccine in both countries, which will initially vaccinate 250,000 children in Côte d’Ivoire and South Sudan, respectively. Thanks to subsidies from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, both the R21 and RTS,S malaria vaccines cost just $0.20 per dose for countries with limited resources, making them more accessible to regions that need them most.

This important step taken by countries to roll out the R21 malaria vaccine comes as part of a broader push to expand malaria vaccination programmes across Africa. According to Gavi,15 countries are expected to introduce malaria vaccination programmes in 2024, with the aim of reaching approximately six million children in high-risk areas.

In a parallel development that further bolsters the global fight against malaria, Brazil and Thailand have become the first malaria-endemic countries to launch a new single-dose radical cure medicine to prevent the relapse of Plasmodium vivax malaria. This innovative treatment, known as tafenoquine, offers a simpler and more effective approach to treating P. vivax malaria, which is the dominant form of malaria in many countries outside of Africa.

The combination of the R21 vaccine rollout in Africa and the introduction of tafenoquine in Brazil and Thailand paints an optimistic picture for malaria prevention and elimination across the globe. These advancements represent significant progress towards the WHO’s goal of reducing malaria cases by 90 percent by 2030.

“As these new tools are deployed, they will complement existing malaria elimination measures such as insecticide-treated nets, indoor residual spraying and case management. The multi-pronged approach offers renewed hope in the long-standing battle against this persistent and deadly disease, potentially saving thousands of lives annually” commented James Tibenderana, Malaria Consortium’s Chief Executive.

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