After Rapid Advancements in Covid Vaccine, Malaria Vaccine Follows Suit

Coronavirus vaccines have been produced and deployed in record time, but low-income countries have received far too few doses since the global rollout has advanced. It's a stark reminder that the world's poorest people are frequently left behind when it comes to infectious diseases.

Deadlier than Covid

Malaria was infected by 105 of the 147 children who got a placebo in this randomized experiment. Just 81 people out of the 292 who got the vaccine contracted the disease, far exceeding the WHO's goal of 75 percent immunity. A phase 3 experiment, which will assess the vaccine's safety and effectiveness in a much wider group of patients, will begin in four African countries in late April 2021, with accelerated approvals if it is effective.

Rollout Cost

Malaria vaccine rollout would also need funding, but with India's low-cost, large-scale manufacturing capability, an affordable and easily accessible vaccine should be possible. However, as COVID-19 spreads through Africa, it could affect the R21 vaccine phase 3 trials, which will begin soon in Mali, Burkina Faso, Tanzania, and Kenya.

The United Kingdom has long been a leader in public health science, with malaria control being one of its most visible initiatives. The cut in foreign assistance spending this year has had a significant impact on funding. However, COVID-19 has emphasized the value of retaining vaccine research and development capability, as well as the possibility of getting closer to vaccine acceptance and delivery than ever before.

For more health and medicine related news, don't forget to follow Nature World News!