Last Updated on February 7, 2023 by Shabnam Sengupta
The search for a malaria vaccine has been ongoing since the 1960s, and in the past ten years, marked advancements have been made. The World Health Organization has recommended that children in sub-Saharan Africa and other regions with moderate to high P. falciparum malaria transmission regularly receive the RTS, S malaria vaccine. Therefore, October 6, 2021, will be remembered for the development of malaria vaccines for children. However, the development of malaria vaccines has been and continues to be challenging. In this article, various hurdles to the development of malaria vaccines are compiled along with the RTS, S vaccine, and future advancements in the development of malaria vaccines.
What difficulties are there in developing a malaria vaccine?
First and foremost, the development of a malaria vaccine has been significantly hampered by the complex life cycle of malaria parasites and the lack of knowledge surrounding the immune response to an infection.
Additionally, the parasites that cause malaria are also genetically complex, producing thousands of potential antigens. Exposure to malaria parasites does not provide lifetime immunity, in contrast to diseases for which there are currently effective vaccines. It should also be stressed that even after developing immunity, a person is frequently still vulnerable to contracting the parasite; malaria infections can last for months without symptoms.
What exactly is the RTS, S vaccine?
Children aged 5 to 17 months who received the three-dose RTS and S series plus a booster dose experienced a reduction in clinical and severe malaria cases of about one-third over the course of four years. However, children in the group of young infants experienced less benefit from this vaccination. The vaccine was generally found to be safe, but some conditions, such as febrile convulsions, meningitis, and cerebral malaria, called for further investigation.
Are there any new developments in the creation of a vaccine for malaria?
Yes, recent studies have demonstrated the safety and tolerability of the irradiated whole sporozoite PfSPZ vaccine produced by Sanaria®, as well as its potential for providing malaria protection when administered intravenously. The PfSPZ vaccine is safe and well tolerated in infants and young children, according to research conducted jointly by the CDC and KEMRI in western Kenya. Regrettably, the vaccine provided little protection against P. falciparum infection at the age of six months.
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