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Health News Sunday, May 5, 2019
Source: Graphic.com.gh
2019-05-05
It is an injectable vaccine that has been added to the existing preventative measures against malaria in children
Malaria is one of the major public health problems in Ghana. With year-round transmission, the entire population is at risk. This is the leading cause of illness and death, especially in children under five years old; However, malaria is both preventable and treatable.
The global health community continues to expand access to existing malaria control strategies, including the introduction of the malaria vaccine. This vaccine will be used in conjunction with existing effective antimalarial interventions such as insecticide-treated mosquito nets, indoor residual sprays and seasonal malaria chemoprevention. The implementation of the malaria vaccine in Ghana will begin in selected districts in four regions (Central, Volta, Brong Ahafo and Far East regions).
What is the malaria vaccine (RTS, S also called Mosquirix)?
It is an injectable vaccine that has been added to existing preventative measures against malaria in children. This is the first time that an antimalarial vaccine is administered to children in routine immunization.
What are the benefits of the malaria vaccine?
This vaccine reduces the number of times a child gets malaria
This reduces the risk of severe malaria in the child
How is the malaria vaccine given?
The malaria vaccine is given in four (4) doses at the age of 6 months, 7 months, 9 months and 24 months.
The malaria vaccine is given by injection into the left thigh of the child by a trained health worker.
A child must receive the 4 doses to get the maximum protection.
Can the malaria vaccine be given at the same time as other vaccines?
The malaria vaccine can be safely administered with other childhood vaccines.
How safe is the malaria vaccine?
The malaria vaccine has been rigorously tested for safety and effectiveness in thousands of children in Africa, including Ghana. The profile of the malaria vaccine was considered acceptable.
What are some of the possible side effects?
Some children who receive the malaria vaccine may react slightly to the vaccine. Some of the common reactions include:
– Fever
– Pain at the site of injection
– Redness and swelling at the site of injection
– Report to the nearest health facility if your child has any of these signs or any other reaction.
Which countries participate in MVIP?
Ghana, Kenya and Malawi are the three countries participating in MVIP. Each of the three countries selected the areas to be included in the pilot projects.
Why is MVIP deployed only in Africa and not in other regions?
The African region of WHO is the country most affected by malaria. Most cases of malaria and deaths in this region are due to the parasite targeted by Mosquirix (P. falciparum). In recent years, malaria mortality rates in the region have declined significantly as a result of a major intensification of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs), artemisinin-based combination therapies. (ACT) and other measures to control malaria. However, the disease continues to wreak havoc: in 2017, the region accounted for 93% of all malaria deaths worldwide (about 403,000 deaths), mostly among young children. Mosquirix has been developed for use in Africa and for African children. Further studies will be needed before the vaccine can be recommended for use outside of Africa.
Why is Ghana participating in MVIP?
In December 2015, WHO appealed to interested African countries to ask them to participate in MVIP. Ghana responded to this call for expressions of interest. Ghana's request was based on the country's malaria burden and the country's experience with Mosquirix in clinical trials.
The existence of robust systems and infrastructures for regulation, ethics, malaria control and malaria immunization in Ghana played a key role in its selection as one of the continent's three countries to participate in this program.
What is the expected duration of the program?
The MVIP is expected to continue until 2022. Meanwhile, the MVIP will provide data on the programmatic feasibility of administering the vaccine under real-life conditions, on the safety profile of Mosquirx in the context of routine use and on the impact of the vaccine on the child. survival. Taken together, this information will guide future decisions on scaling up the vaccine.
In which countries have Phase 3 clinical trials been conducted?
The Mosquirix Phase 3 trial enrolled more than 15,000 infants and young children in seven countries in sub-Saharan Africa (Burkina Faso, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique and the United Republic of Tanzania). The clinical trial sites in these countries represented a range of malaria transmission parameters (low, medium and high) to determine the effectiveness of the vaccine in these different settings.
What role did Ghanaian researchers play in the development of Mosquirix?
Researchers from the Kintampo Health Research Center and the Faculty of Medical Sciences of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology participated in Phase 2 and Phase 3 clinical trials to determine the safety, health and safety of patients. 39, immunogenicity and efficacy of Mosquirix. Clinical trials in Ghana recruited 3,439 infants and children aged 6 to 12 weeks and 5 to 17 months.
What were the results of Phase 3 clinical trials?
Efficacy of the vaccine
In children aged 5 to 17 months who received three doses of Mosquirix administered one month apart, followed by a fourth dose 18 months later, the vaccine reduced malaria by 39%, which is equivalent to preventing almost 4 out of 10 cases of malaria.
In addition, the four-dose vaccination schedule reduced severe malaria by 29% in this age group, with a 37.2% reduction in malaria-related hospitalizations and 14.9% in hospitalizations. all causes. A 29% reduction in the number of blood transfusions needed to treat life-threatening malaria anemia was also observed.
It should be noted that no vaccination protects 100%; in this respect, Mosquirix does not prevent 100% of malaria cases. Mosquirix will therefore add to existing malaria prevention efforts. It is intended to complement existing efforts to control malaria.
Facts to remember
– Vaccines save lives
– The malaria vaccine reduces the number of times a child gets malaria
– A child who receives the malaria vaccine can still contract malaria; it is therefore important to continue with other preventative measures, such as sleeping under insecticide-treated mosquito nets every night and all night.
– Malaria vaccine does not cause malaria
– The malaria vaccine is free
– Make sure your child receives all vaccines, including the malaria vaccine, at the age of two years.
– Carry the maternal and child health record (weighing sheet) every time you visit the health facility
– Malaria can be treated. Take your febrile child to the nearest health center for testing and treatment for malaria
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