WHO prequalifies malaria vaccine by Serum Institute

Subject: Science and Tech

Section: Health

Context:

The World Health Organization(WHO) added the R21/Matrix M malaria vaccine, developed by Oxford University and manufactured by Serum Institute of India, to its list of prequalified vaccines. In October 2023, the WHO had recommended its use for the prevention of malaria in children.

About the R21/Matrix-M Vaccine:

It is a new vaccine approved for the prevention of malaria in children.
It was developed by the University of Oxford and the Serum Institute of India with support from the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (‘EDCTP’), the Wellcome Trust, and the European Investment Bank (‘EIB’).
It is the first malaria vaccine to reach the WHO’s target of 75% efficacy.
It has already been approved for use in Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Nigeria.
The vaccine will be rolled out in those African countries in early 2024 and will be available in mid-2024 in other countries.

What is malaria?

It is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.
There are 5 parasite species that cause malaria in humans, and 2 of these species, Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax, pose the greatest threat.
Malaria is common in tropical areas where it’s hot and humid.
Children under 5 years of age are the most vulnerable group affected by malaria.

Symptoms:

The signs and symptoms of malaria are similar to flu symptoms. They include:
- Fever and sweating.
- Chills that shake your whole body
- Headache and muscle aches.
- Fatigue.
- Chest pain, breathing problems, and cough.
- Diarrhoea,nausea and vomiting.
- As malaria gets worse, it can cause anemia and jaundice.
The most severe form of malaria, which may progress to a coma, is known as cerebral malaria. This type represents about 15% of deaths in children and nearly 20% of adult deaths.

Treatment:

It is preventable and curable. With early treatment, most people with malaria will make a full recovery.
Some drugs are given in combination with other drugs. The type of parasite will determine the type of medication.
The main antimalarial drugs are:
- chloroquine
- hydroxychloroquine
- primaquine
- artemisinin-based therapy
- atovaquone-proguanil