A new malaria vaccine could be a ‘huge deal’ in the fight to save lives in Africa and abroad – CBC
Ghana and Nigeria approve R21/Matrix-M vaccine currently in Phase 3 trials, ahead of WHO review
Apr 24, 2023
After 30 years of research, a new malaria vaccine has been approved for use in Ghana and conditionally approved for use in Nigeria.
The R21/Matrix-M vaccine, developed by scientists at the University of Oxford in London, has been cleared for use by Ghana’s Food and Drugs Authority and Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drug Administration And Control, in children aged five to 36 months.
“This is a public health tool that we think can really make a difference in controlling malaria better, in saving many of the … lives that are being lost to malaria every year, principally amongst children in Africa,” said Adrian Hill, director of Oxford University’s Jenner Institute, who led the design and clinical development of the vaccine.
The R21 vaccine requires three doses plus a booster and is intended for use in infants and young children. Its Phase 3 trial is still ongoing, but its Phase 2B trial exceeded the World Health Organization’s target of 75 per cent efficacy, with a 77 per cent efficacy.
Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/malaria-vaccine-ghana-nigeria-who-1.6820289
