What is R21/MatrixM?
It's a new malaria vaccine developed by the University of Oxford and made by Serum Institute of India.
It's been recommended by WHO but not yet fully approved.
Where was it tested?
The vaccine was tested on kids in Mali, Burkina Faso, Kenya, and Tanzania. Nigeria, Ghana, and Burkina Faso have already approved it for kids under 3 years old.
What are the results?
The vaccine worked well, especially in younger kids (5-17 months). It was 75% effective in places with seasonal malaria and 68% effective in places where malaria is year-round.
How many doses are needed?
Kids got three initial doses four weeks apart, and a booster shot a year later.
Does the vaccine's effectiveness decrease over time?
Yes, but a booster shot helps maintain its effectiveness.
What's the cost?
Each dose will cost between $2 and $4.
How does it compare to the previous malaria vaccine?
It's much more effective. The older vaccine was only 56% effective in kids aged 5-17 months even after a year.
Does it help in reducing malaria spread?
Yes, it not only protects against malaria but also reduces the amount of malaria parasites in the blood, which could lower transmission rates.
What's next?
More tests and hopefully, WHO's full approval. Serum Institute plans to produce over 100 million doses a year.
