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Ghana has become the first country in the world to approve the new malaria vaccine developed by Oxford University and the Serum Institute of India PvT Ltd. While Ghana makes up only two per cent of malaria-related deaths, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania and Niger account for just over half of all malaria deaths worldwide.

Written by Hillary Essien

Apr 16, 2023

Malaria Vaccine ONYINYE DIKE

Ghana has become the first country in the world to approve the new malaria vaccine developed by Oxford University and the Serum Institute of India PvT Ltd. The R21/Matrix-MTM malaria vaccine or R21 has been licensed by Ghana’s Food and Drugs Authority and has been approved for use in children aged 5 to 36 months.

According to the 2022 world malaria report, the World Health Organization’s ‘African Region’—with an estimated 234 million cases recorded in 2021—accounted for about 95 per cent of global cases. Children younger than five accounted for about 80 per cent of all malaria deaths in Africa and four African countries accounted for just over half of all malaria deaths worldwide: Nigeria (31.3 per cent), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (12.6 per cent), Tanzania (4.1 per cent) and Niger (3.9 per cent). Ghana made up only 2 per cent of malaria-related deaths.

R21 has demonstrated high levels of efficacy and safety in Phase II trials, including children who received a booster dose of the vaccine a year after following a three-dose vaccination system.

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About the Author

Hillary Essien

was a Senior Associate Editor at The Republic.

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