New High-Efficacy Malaria Vaccine

Current Context : The Serum Institute of India (SII) and Oxford University have launched a “high efficacy” malaria vaccine, R21/Matrix-M, in Cote d’Ivoire in West Africa.

• The World Health Organization (WHO) approved the vaccine last year, and this is the first time it has been given to everyone in the country.
• R21/Matrix-M was co-developed by the university and Serum Institute of India (SII) leveraging Novavax’s Matrix-M adjuvant technology.
• R21 is the second malaria vaccine available in Sub-Saharan Africa following RTS,S.

ABOUT MALARIA :

• Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by the Plasmodium parasite.
• It is transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.
• It is most common in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, including sub-Saharan Africa, South America and Southeast Asia.
• Syptoms : fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• World Malaria Day is observed on 25th April.
• Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has established ‘Malaria Elimination Research Alliance-India (MERA-India) which is a conglomeration of partners working on malaria control.