New Delhi: The World Health Organization (WHO) has given its stamp of approval to the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine produced by the University of Oxford and the Serum Institute of India using Novavax’s adjuvant technology.
WHO recommends R21/Matrix-M vaccine for #malaria prevention in updated advice on immunization https://t.co/AKI7G3AFSY pic.twitter.com/yOVGp6d0ET
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) October 2, 2023
@WHO and its two key advisory committees recommended use of the R21/Matrix-M #malaria #vaccine in children. We are proud to have contributed our adjuvant to a vaccine with the potential to decrease the malaria disease burden in endemic areas. Read more: https://t.co/VJN4tCh3YX… pic.twitter.com/YAAplckepx
— Novavax (@Novavax) October 2, 2023
Based on SAGE’s findings, WHO has recommended new dengue and meningitis vaccines, as well as vaccination regimens and product recommendations for COVID-19. Important vaccination programming recommendations were also released by WHO, including those for polio, IA2030, and regaining the momentum of the immunisation programme.
After the RTS,S/AS01 vaccine was approved in 2021, the R21 vaccine became the second malaria vaccine to earn WHO endorsement. Both vaccinations have been proven to be safe and effective at preventing malaria in children, and their widespread use is anticipated to have a significant positive influence on public health.
“Almost exactly 2 years ago, WHO recommended the broad use of the 🌍’s first #malaria vaccine, called RTS,S.
Today, it gives me great pleasure to announce that WHO is recommending a second vaccine, called R21/Matrix-M, to prevent malaria in children at risk of the…
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) October 2, 2023
Today is a great day for health, a great day for science, and a great day for vaccines:@WHO is recommending a second vaccine to prevent #malaria in children at risk of the disease, called R21/Matrix-M.
Demand for the RTS,S vaccine far exceeds supply, so the R21 vaccine is a… pic.twitter.com/1trR6fmYMc
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) October 2, 2023
In an official announcement, Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawalla remarked, “For far too long, malaria has threatened the lives of billions of people across the globe, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable amongst us. This is why the WHO recommendation and approval of the R21/Matrix-M vaccine marks a huge milestone on our journey to combat this life-threatening disease, showing what exactly can be achieved when the public and private sector, scientists and researchers, all work together towards a shared goal.”
I am pleased to announce that the WHO has recommended the R21/Matrix-M™️ Malaria vaccine. The combined efforts of @SerumInstIndia and @UniOfOxford have come to fruition. This will save thousands of lives in Africa afflicted by Malaria, and help bridge the vast gap between the…
— Adar Poonawalla (@adarpoonawalla) October 3, 2023
According to the announcement, the Serum Institute of India will increase its annual manufacturing capacity of 100 million doses over the next two years.
With funding from the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP), the Wellcome Trust, and the European Investment Bank, the Jenner Institute at Oxford University and the Serum Institute of India created the vaccine.
At least 28 African nations aim to implement a WHO-recommended malaria vaccine. The Vaccine Alliance, Gavi, has granted technical and financial assistance for malaria vaccinations in 18 countries. In early 2024, several African nations will get the RTS,S vaccine, and in mid-2024, the R21 malaria vaccine.
