Context:
Recently, Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII) announced that the shipment of its first batch of R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccines to Africa. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly half a million children die from malaria annually in Africa, which accounted for 94% of the global malaria cases (233 million) and 95% of the deaths (580,000) in 2022. India reported approximately 3.38 million malaria cases and 5,511 deaths.
Relevance:
GS II: Health
Dimensions of the Article:
- What is R21/Matrix-M?
- Initial Deployment to Africa
- About Malaria
What is R21/Matrix-M?
- The R21 vaccine is the second malaria vaccine endorsed by the WHO, following the RTS,S/AS01 vaccine, which gained WHO recommendation in 2021.
- Developed by the University of Oxford, the vaccine is manufactured and scaled up by the Serum Institute of India (SII).
- Utilizing Novavax’s adjuvant technology, the vaccine adheres to stringent safety, quality, and efficacy standards.
- Adjuvants: Substances that boost the immune system’s response to a vaccine.
- These are typically used to enhance vaccine effectiveness.
- The Matrix-M component in this vaccine is a proprietary saponin-based adjuvant created by Novavax.
Key Features
- High Efficacy: Especially effective when administered just before the high transmission season.
- Good Efficacy: Effective when administered according to an age-based schedule.
High Impact:
- Mathematical modeling indicates that the R21 vaccine could have a significant public health impact across various malaria transmission settings, including low transmission areas.
Cost-Effectiveness:
- Priced between US$ 2 – US$ 4 per dose, the R21 vaccine’s cost-effectiveness is comparable to other recommended malaria interventions and childhood vaccines.
Initial Deployment to Africa
Shipment Details
- Central African Republic (CAR): The first shipment will be sent to CAR, followed by distributions to South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo in the coming days.
- Target Region
- For Africa: According to SII, the R21 vaccine is designed for the African continent, where the malaria parasite is prevalent.
- India’s Timeline: As the specific parasite strain is not present in India, it will take approximately five more years to develop a malaria vaccine for India.
Current Status in India
- National Program: Currently, no malaria vaccine is being utilized in India under the national program.
About Malaria
- Malaria is a severe febrile illness caused by Plasmodium parasites, transmitted to humans via the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.
- Predominantly found in tropical regions, it is a life-threatening disease.
- Fortunately, malaria is both preventable and curable.
How Malaria Spreads
- Malaria is not contagious and does not spread directly from person to person; it is transmitted exclusively through the bites of female Anopheles mosquitoes.
- Parasite Species Causing Malaria
- Among the five Plasmodium species that can infect humans, Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax are the most dangerous.
Symptoms of Malaria
- Initial symptoms appear 10–15 days after an infected mosquito bite.
- Common symptoms include fever, headache, and chills, which might be mild and difficult to identify as malaria.
- In areas where malaria is common, individuals with partial immunity might get infected without showing symptoms.
Preventive Measures
Vector Control Strategies
- Vector control is essential to prevent malaria and curb its transmission.
- Effective vector control methods for those in malaria-endemic regions include:
- Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITNs): Nets treated with insecticides to protect people while they sleep.
- Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS): Application of insecticides on surfaces where mosquitoes rest.
Chemoprevention and Chemoprophylaxis
- Antimalarial medications, while primarily used to treat infected patients, can also be administered to prevent malaria.
-Source: The Hindu
