Shop on Impakter Eco
  • Women
  • Men
  • Kids
  • Beautycare
  • Home & Living
  • Food & Drinks
  • Pets
Impakter
Shop on Eco Shop
  • Shop Eco
  • Culture
    • Art
    • Cinema
    • Entertainment
    • Literature
    • Music
    • Photography
  • Style
    • Architecture
    • Design
    • Fashion
    • Foodscape
    • Lifestyle
  • Society
    • Business
    • Environment
    • Foreign Affairs & Politics
    • Health
    • Tech
    • Science
    • Start-up
  • Impact
    • Eco Life
    • Circular Economy
    • COP26
    • CityLife
      • Copenhagen
      • San Francisco
      • Seattle
      • Sydney
    • Sustainability Series
      • SDGs Series
      • Shape Your Future
      • 2030: Dream or Reality
    • Philanthropy
      • United Nations
      • NGO & Charities
      • Essays
    • Your Voice
      • Empower Earth
      • Empower Equality
  • SUSTAINABILITY INDEX
  • Startup-Hub
    • Companies
    • Investors
    • Organisations
    • Jobs
    • Events
  • Partners
  • About
    • Team
    • Global Leaders
    • Contributors
    • Write for Impakter
    • IMPAKTER Italy
    • Republishing Content
    • Permissions and Copyright
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Impakter
No Result
View All Result
Home Society Health

WHO Approves Malaria Vaccine in Scientific Breakthrough

The vaccine is already being deployed across Africa and will save countless lives

Charles KershawbyCharles Kershaw
October 7, 2021
in Health, Science, Society
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has approved the rollout of a vaccine for Malaria across Sub-Saharan Africa and other areas with high rates of the disease.

The vaccine, named RTS,S, was developed by the British pharmaceutical company, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). It was proven to be effective six years ago, and since then, it has been rolled out through pilot schemes in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi.

The director general of the WHO, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, stated at a press conference: “I started my career as a malaria researcher, and I longed for the day that we would have an effective vaccine against this ancient and terrible disease. And today is that day, an historic day. Today, the WHO is recommending the broad use of the world’s first malaria vaccine.”

The vaccine, while only around 39% effective on its own in preventing malaria, gives an efficacy of 70% when combined with other antiviral drugs. 

A child dies from #malaria every two minutes.
One death is one too many.

🚨 Today, WHO recommends RTS,S, a groundbreaking malaria vaccine, to reduce child illness & deaths in areas with moderate and high malaria transmission https://t.co/xSk58nTIV1#VaccinesWork pic.twitter.com/mSECLtRhQs

— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) October 6, 2021

A Historic Moment

The approval of this vaccine will undoubtedly have wide-reaching positive effects. Malaria is one of the oldest-known and deadliest diseases. It is the fifth leading cause of death from infectious diseases worldwide, and mostly kills infants and babies. For this reason, we will likely see infant mortality in areas affected by malaria decrease significantly over the coming years. 


Related Articles: Mosquitos and Malaria the Greatest Serial Killers | Close to the edge: Climate Change: Focus on Africa, Asia and Coastal Poor | Africa’s Low Vaccine Rates Pose Worldwide Threat

Reducing the number of deaths from malaria could also drastically reduce poverty and improve quality of life. A modelling study showed that the vaccine could potentially save 23,000 deaths in children under 5 years old every year.

The disease is found in more than 100 countries in the world, mainly in tropical regions. Nearly half of the world’s population live in areas at risk of malaria transmission. It is especially deadly in Sub-Saharan Africa, where many do not have access to medical treatment. The WHO estimates that in 2019, 94% of malaria deaths were in Africa.

malaria vaccine child
The vaccine could drastically reduce infant mortality in Africa. Photo Credit: Global Panorama

The Six-Year Pilot Schemes

The pilot schemes seem quite long, compared to the trials of COVID-19 vaccines, but in that time, experts have gathered a lot of data, and delivered 2.3 million doses. It should be noted that part of the reason why malaria has been so difficult to treat is that the virus is much more complicated than COVID-19covid. There are also more than 100 types of malaria parasites, with RTS,S focusing on just the most deadly and common one.

There were also fears that the vaccine would be difficult to roll out, as it requires four doses, each one months apart. But the good news from the pilot schemes is that the vaccines were able to reach children who did not have access to mosquito bed nets, and that the vaccine is cost-effective.

Now that we know the results of the vaccine combined with other drugs is very good, this will make vaccination worthwhile. While the vaccine will reduce deaths, it will also lower cases, an important factor considering that the disease can permanently alter and weaken the immune system. 

Rolling Out the Vaccine

One thing seems clear from this: the rollout of this vaccine is key. The pilot schemes show impressive results, but it will be crucial for medical professionals to have access to both the vaccine and the antiviral drugs to make this treatment as effective as it can be. 

We have already seen a global covid vaccine disparity that hit Africa the hardest. This disparity must not happen with the malaria vaccine as well. It is imperative that Sub-Saharan African countries have the resources and funding to deploy this vaccine effectively in partnership with GSK. Make no mistake, the vaccine approval is very good news— but now it’s time to fight this disease.

Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed here by Impakter.com columnists are their own, not those of Impakter.com. — In the Featured Photo: Sign, stating “bring your child for malaria vaccination”. Featured Photo Credit: GHTC, CC via Wikimedia Commons.

Tags: global health initiativesmalariamalaria vaccinevaccineWorld Health Organisation
Previous Post

The Future of Global Health and Financing: Real Change or “Plus ça change”?

Next Post

Poland Threatens  European Rule of Law: Is EU at Risk?

Charles Kershaw

Charles Kershaw

Charles Kershaw is an editorial intern at Impakter from Surrey, UK. He is a recent graduate in International Journalism from City University, in London. He has written many articles for local and student papers, and hopes to pursue a career in journalism. He enjoys writing about environmental issues and international affairs. When he is not writing he enjoys mountain biking, rock climbing and walking his two dogs.

Related Posts

Main Climate Change Indicators Break Records in 2021
Climate Change

Main Climate Change Indicators Break Records in 2021

May 18, 2022
Northern Ireland Protocol: Truss Tempts Trade War
Politics & Foreign Affairs

Northern Ireland Protocol: Truss Tempts Trade War

May 18, 2022
Evacuation of Mariupol Regiment: The End of an Epic Battle
Politics & Foreign Affairs

Evacuation of Mariupol Regiment: The End of an Epic Battle

May 18, 2022
Next Post
Poland Threatens  European Rule of Law: Is EU at Risk?

Poland Threatens  European Rule of Law: Is EU at Risk?

Recent News

Main Climate Change Indicators Break Records in 2021

Main Climate Change Indicators Break Records in 2021

May 18, 2022
Northern Ireland Protocol: Truss Tempts Trade War

Northern Ireland Protocol: Truss Tempts Trade War

May 18, 2022
Evacuation of Mariupol Regiment: The End of an Epic Battle

Evacuation of Mariupol Regiment: The End of an Epic Battle

May 18, 2022
impakter-logo-light

Impakter informs you through the eco news site and empowers your sustainable lifestyle with its eco products marketplace.

Visit here IMPAKTER ECO for your eco products needs.

Registered Office Address

32 Lots Road, London
SW10 0QJ, United Kingdom


IMPAKTER Limited

Company number: 10806931

Impakter is a publication that is identified by the following International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) is the following 2515-9569 (Printed) and 2515-9577 (online – Website).


Office Hours - Monday to Friday

9.30am - 5.00pm CEST


Email

stories [at] impakter.com

About Us

  • Team
  • Contributors
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  • Partners

By Audience

  • Lifestyle
  • Green Finance
  • Culture
  • Society
  • Style
  • Impact

Impakter Platforms

  • Media
  • Up
  • Index
  • Eco for Sellers
  • Impakter Pro

© 2022 IMPAKTER. All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Culture
  • Style
  • Society
  • Impact
  • ECO Products Shop – Try now!
  • INDEX – Sustainability Index
  • UP – Startup Hub
  • About
    • Partners
    • Team
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
Impakter.com uses cookies to enhance your experience when visiting the website and to serve you with advertisements that might interest you. By continuing to use this site, you agree to our use of cookies. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.