Last Updated on January 19, 2023 by Shabnam Sengupta
The parasitic protozoan Plasmodium, which causes malaria, is spread by a wide variety of mosquito species in the genus Anopheles. There are four different types of malaria that affect people, with Plasmodium falciparum being the most common and dangerous. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), between 300 million and 500 million new cases of malaria are reported annually. As a result, this article covers all the significant aspects of the malaria vaccine.
Are any anti-malarial vaccines being developed?
Yes, many vaccines against malaria are currently being developed. The most dangerous strain of malaria, Plasmodium falciparum, has been tested on four of them.
The SPf66 vaccine against the blood stages had a negligible effect in some studies, but not in Africa. A different vaccine (MSP/RESA) resulted in a lower parasite density in the blood even though it did not prevent malaria attacks. Two vaccines that are designed to prevent infection from entering the bloodstream have also been tested; the RTS, S vaccines delayed infection and decreased clinical episodes of malaria in the second year after vaccination, whereas the other had no effect.
What anti-malarial vaccine has been proposed?
The World Health Organization strongly recommends that children in sub-Saharan Africa and other regions with moderate to high P. falciparum malaria transmission use the RTS,S /AS01 (RTS,S) malaria vaccine. The recommendations are based on findings from a pilot program that has been running in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi since 2019 and also has benefited more than 900,000 children.
What key conclusions can be drawn from the research on the paediatric malaria vaccine?
The Ghanaian, Kenyan, and Malawian Ministries of Health oversaw the two years of vaccination in child health clinics in the three pilot countries, which served as the basis for the malaria vaccine recommendation.
The key findings of the pilots served as the foundation for these data and insights. In line with WHO, the main findings from the pilot study are related to the vaccine’s delivery viability, with good, fair, and equal RTS,S coverage observed through routine immunization programs. The safety record for this vaccine is good. It should be emphasized that there are no adverse effects of the vaccine on the use of bed nets, other childhood vaccinations, or health-seeking behaviour. Additionally, increased access to malaria prevention has a significant impact on severe, life-threatening malaria. It is economical and efficient.
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