NEWS – India begins export of R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccines to Africa

R21/MATRIX-M VACCINE

• Production: The Serum Institute of India has the capacity to produce up to 100 million doses annually, ensuring widespread availability endorsed by WHO, aimed at preventing malaria in children under five years old.
• Vaccine Development: The R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine was developed in collaboration with the University of Oxford and Novavax.
• Adjuvant: Utilizes Novavax’s Matrix-M adjuvant.
• Support: Supported by the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP), the Wellcome Trust, and the European Investment Bank (EIB).

MALARIA BURDEN AND STATISTICS

• Global Impact: The latest WHO malaria report indicated 247 million cases globally in 2021, up from 245 million in 2020.
• Regional Burden: In the WHO African Region, children under five account for approximately 80% of all malaria deaths.
• India’s Scenario: India reported over 45,000 malaria cases in 2022, showcasing the need for effective malaria interventions.

UNDERSTANDING MALARIA

• Cause: Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites, transmitted through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.
• Transmission Cycle: The parasites initially multiply in the liver before attacking red blood cells, leading to various symptoms.
• Parasite Species: Five species of Plasmodium cause malaria in humans, with Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax posing the greatest threats.