Malaria booster vaccine could cut deaths in children, study suggests
IndependentMAY 2022
The R21 vaccine is a significant milestone in combating malaria, one of the world's biggest killers. It's a massive breakthrough for millions of Africans, including children and pregnant women, as it could help reduce malaria deaths by over 70%. The vaccine — a more powerful and less expensive version of GSK's— isn't perfect, but it will help turn the tide.
While this is a step in the right direction and certainly a cause for celebration, unfortunately, it's not a silver bullet in the complex fight against malaria. Before the R21 vaccine is rolled out for wider use, there are important points to consider to meet the needs of countries with a high malaria burden, such as the amount of international funding available for its production and equitable distribution. Meanwhile, it's still lacking the WHO's endorsement. Cautious optimism is warranted as there's a long way to go.