Children in Ivory Coast Receive New Malaria Vaccine

In a significant advancement in the fight against malaria, children in Ivory Coast received their first doses of the R21 vaccine on Monday. Developed by the Jenner Institute at the University of Oxford in collaboration with the Serum Institute of India, the vaccine is priced at under $4 per dose, making it feasible for widespread distribution across Africa. The University of Oxford announced that the vaccine will also be administered in South Sudan starting Tuesday. The R21 vaccine boasts an efficacy rate of 75%-80% in young children, with projections suggesting that its widespread use, alongside the RTS,S vaccine, could prevent up to 500,000 child deaths annually. Despite being preventable and treatable, malaria claimed approximately 608,000 lives globally in 2022, with 95% of those fatalities occurring in Africa, where children under five represent 80% of malaria deaths. The Serum Institute of India has already produced over 25 million doses and aims to manufacture up to 100 million doses annually, ensuring affordability and accessibility. Initially, 250,000 children under two years old in Ivory Coast will be vaccinated, with additional authorizations from Ghana, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and the Central African Republic. Both the R21 and RTS,S vaccines have received WHO approval and are expected to significantly enhance public health outcomes, particularly when combined with other preventive measures like mosquito nets. However, logistical challenges remain, as the R21 vaccine requires a specific dosing schedule that necessitates training for healthcare workers in low-income countries.