R21/Matrix-M (Malaria vaccine)

• The R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine developed by the University of Oxford and the Serum Institute of India, leveraging Novavax’s adjuvant technology, has been recommended for use by the World Health Organisation (WHO) after meeting required safety, quality and effectiveness standards.
• The Matrix-M component is a proprietary saponin-based adjuvant from Novavax, which is licensed to the Serum Institute for use in endemic countries, while Novavax retains commercial rights in non-endemic countries.
• The vaccine was developed by the Jenner Institute at Oxford University and the Serum Institute of India with support from the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP), the Wellcome Trust, and the European Investment Bank (EIB).
• To date the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine has been licensed for use in Ghana, Nigeria and Burkina Faso.
• The Serum institute added that the efficacy of the vaccine over 12 months was 75% at sites with high seasonal malaria transmission and 68% at the sites with more perennial transmission using standard age-based administration.

ABOUT MALARIA

• Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites.
• It is spread to people through bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.
• Malaria is most common in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, including sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and South America.
  • While Plasmodium falciparum is responsible for more deaths, Plasmodium vivax is the most widespread of all of the malaria species.
• Symptoms- fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue. In severe cases, malaria can lead to organ failure, coma, and death.