Chemoprevention

Chemoprevention involves the use of drugs to prevent the occurrence of illness. For malaria, we focus on curative chemoprevention strategies most appropriate for the settings in countries where we work. These strategies include seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) for children under five, perennial malaria chemoprevention (PMC) and intermittent preventive treatment for malaria in pregnancy (IPTp). Other diseases can also sometimes be prevented through mass drug administration (MDA), which is the administration of drugs to entire populations.

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Seasonal malaria chemoprevention

Seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) is a highly effective intervention used to prevent malaria in children. It involves administering monthly doses of antimalarial drugs to children aged 3-59 months during peak malaria transmission season.

In practice: Malaria Consortium has been a leading implementer of SMC since being a primary actor in initial pilots in 2014.


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Perennial malaria chemoprevention

Perennial malaria chemoprevention (PMC) involves the administration of a full course of anti-malarial drugs to those who are vulnerable at specified times regardless of whether they have malaria.

In practice: Through a two-year research study with the Nigeria Ministry of Health, we are assessing the clinical effectiveness and operational feasibility of PMC in Nigeria.


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Intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy

Intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy (IPTp) is provided to women in high malaria burden countries during their pregnancy to protect both them and their unborn child from malaria.

In practice: In Uganda, we assessed and addressed barriers to uptake of IPTp in areas of medium or high malaria transmission.


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Malaria vaccines

In October 2021, after nearly three decades of research and development, the World Health Organization announced its recommendation of the world’s first malaria vaccine, Mosquirix RTS,S/AS01, for wider usage alongside current malaria prevention and control tools.

In practice: In our Position Statement on malaria vaccines, we outline the crucial support and investment in vaccine development that is needed.


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Mass drug administration

Other diseases can also sometimes be prevented through mass drug administration (MDA), which is the administration of drugs to entire populations.

In practice: In Mozambique, we assessed whether the community dialogues approach contributed towards enhancing communities’ understanding and knowledge of prevention and control of neglected tropical diseases, especially through MDA.


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