Ivory Coast has taken a historic step in the global fight against malaria by becoming the first country to deploy a new malaria vaccine developed by the Serum Institute of India, the world’s largest vaccine maker, and the University of Oxford. The initial doses of this groundbreaking vaccine were administered on Monday to children in Abidjan, the commercial capital of the West African nation. This marks the second malaria vaccine to be used globally, providing a much-needed weapon against a disease that has plagued Africa for generations.
The developers and their partners announced in a statement that the vaccine has received authorization from Ghana, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and the Central African Republic, with many other countries preparing to receive shipments. Ivory Coast has received a total of 656,600 doses, which will initially be used to vaccinate 250,000 children between newborns and 23 months across 16 regions of the country.
The vaccine, recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2023, is specifically targeted for use in Africa for children under five years old – the age group most vulnerable to the disease. Malaria claims the lives of over 600,000 people each year, with Ivory Coast alone experiencing four deaths daily from the disease, according to the country’s health ministry.
Malaria has long been classified as one of the world’s neglected diseases, with 95% of cases and 96% of deaths occurring in Africa, predominantly in poorer nations. The lack of a lucrative commercial market has historically hindered the development of a vaccine. Additionally, the parasites responsible for the deadly disease are known to mutate, making it difficult to develop effective treatments.
In 2022, the WHO formally endorsed Mosquirix, the first vaccine for malaria, developed by GSK Plc and its partners. The newly deployed vaccine, produced by Serum Institute of India, represents a significant advancement in the fight against this deadly disease. The institute has produced 25 million doses and is committed to increasing production to 100 million doses annually.
The vaccine utilizes an adjuvant developed by Novavax Inc. to enhance the immune response, specifically targeting a prevalent version of the malaria parasite in Africa. At a cost of less than $4 per shot, it is more affordable than existing treatments. The vaccination regimen involves three doses administered to children between five and 36 months of age, followed by a booster a year later.
Clinical trials have demonstrated the vaccine’s efficacy, showing a protection rate of up to 80% a year after the fourth dose. The distribution of the vaccine will be primarily facilitated by international health organizations such as Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the WHO, the Global Fund, and UNICEF.
“Fifteen African countries are expected to introduce malaria vaccines with Gavi support in 2024, and countries plan to reach around 6.6 million children with the malaria vaccine in 2024 and 2025,” the developers stated. “Gavi and partners are working with more than 30 African countries that have expressed interest in introducing the malaria vaccine.”
