WHO approved anti-malaria vaccine “R21/Matrix-M vaccine” UPSC

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Picture Courtesy: economictimes

Context: The World Health Organization (WHO) has approved a second anti-malaria vaccine for children, known as the R21/Matrix-M vaccine.

R21/Matrix-M vaccine

R21/Matrix-M vaccine, developed by the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom, is seen as a significant milestone in the fight against malaria, particularly in Africa, where the disease is a major health concern. This approval follows the previous recommendation of the RTS,S/AS01 vaccine for malaria prevention.
- Both vaccines are considered safe and effective in preventing malaria in children and are expected to have a significant public health impact.
The approval of the R21 vaccine is expected to help address the demand-and-supply gap for malaria vaccines, as the supply of the RTS,S vaccine has been limited. This means that more children can potentially benefit from malaria vaccination.
The R21 vaccine is planned to be rolled out in several African countries, including Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Nigeria, in early 2024. It will become available in mid-2024 in other countries, and the cost per dose is expected to range between $2 and $4.
The R21 vaccine is currently under review by WHO for prequalification. Once it receives WHO approval, organizations like GAVI and UNICEF will be able to purchase the vaccine from manufacturers.
The WHO's recommendations for these vaccines are based on the advice of two expert groups: the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) and the Malaria Policy Advisory Group.

Other Recommendations

●In addition to the anti-malaria vaccine recommendations, the WHO also recommended Takeda Pharmaceuticals' vaccine against dengue for children aged six to 16 in areas where dengue infection is a significant public health issue.

●The WHO advised that all countries in the African "meningitis belt" should introduce a vaccine known as (Men5CV) into their routine immunization programs. This vaccine, administered with a single dose scheduled at nine to 18 months of age, is intended to combat meningitis in the region.

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MALARIA: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/malaria-2

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. The term “R21/Matrix-M” is frequently seen in the news, it is related to:

A) Anti-Dengue Vaccine

B) Anti-malaria Vaccine

C) Malware

D) Operating System

Answer: B

Explanation:

The R21/Matrix-M vaccine is designed to prevent malaria infections by stimulating the immune system to produce a protective response against the malaria parasite.