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Called Mosquirix, the new vaccine is given in three doses between 5 and 17 months, and a fourth dose about 18 months later. Following clinical trials, the vaccine has been tested in three countries – Kenya, Malawi and Ghana – where it has been incorporated into routine immunization programs.
Over 2.3 million doses have been administered in these countries, affecting over 800,000 children. This has pushed up the percentage of children protected against malaria in one way or another to over 90 percent from less than 70 percent, Dr Hamel said.
“The ability to reduce inequalities in access to malaria prevention – this is important,” said Dr Hamel. “It was impressive to see that it could affect children who are currently unprotected.”
It took years to create an effective system of distributing insecticide-treated bednets to families. In contrast, making Mosquirix part of the routine vaccination made it surprisingly easy to distribute, added Dr Hamel – even amid the coronavirus pandemic, which has caused lockdowns and disrupted supply chains.
“We’re not going to have to spend a decade trying to figure out how to pass this on to children,” he said.
This week, an independent expert working group on malaria, epidemiology and child health statistics, as well as the WHO advisory group on vaccines, met to review data from the pilot programs and make their formal recommendation to Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO
The next step is for Gavi, the global vaccine alliance, to determine that the vaccine is a worthwhile investment. If the organization’s board of directors approves the vaccine – which is not guaranteed, given the vaccine’s moderate efficacy and many competing priorities – Gavi will purchase the vaccine for countries that request it, a process which should take at least a year.
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