Côte d’Ivoire (also known as Ivory Coast) has made a significant stride in the fight against malaria, becoming the first country to deploy the R21 malaria vaccine developed by Serum Institute of India Ltd. and the University of Oxford. The initial doses of this groundbreaking immunization were administered to children in Abidjan, the nation’s commercial hub, marking the second malaria vaccine to be used globally.
The developers and their partners announced this milestone in a statement, highlighting the vaccine’s authorization by multiple African nations, including Ghana, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and the Central African Republic. Many other countries are preparing to receive their shipments. Côte d’Ivoire has received a total of 656,600 doses, which will initially vaccinate 250,000 children aged from newborns to 23 months across 16 regions.
Malaria remains one of the deadliest diseases in the world, disproportionately affecting Africa. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended the R21 vaccine in 2023 for use in children under five years old, the age group most vulnerable to malaria. In Côte d’Ivoire alone, the disease claims the lives of four people daily, according to the country’s health ministry.
Globally, malaria results in over 600,000 deaths per year, with 95% of cases and 96% of deaths occurring in Africa. The disease predominantly impacts the continent’s poorer countries, and the absence of a lucrative commercial market has historically slowed the development of vaccines. The complex nature of the malaria parasite, prone to mutations and resistance, has also posed challenges for vaccine makers.
The R21 vaccine follows the WHO’s 2022 endorsement of Mosquirix, the first malaria vaccine developed by GSK Plc and its partners. The Serum Institute has produced 25 million doses of the R21 vaccine and plans to scale up to 100 million doses annually. Utilizing an adjuvant developed by Novavax Inc., the vaccine enhances the immune response to malaria, specifically targeting the parasite variant prevalent in Africa.
Costing less than $4 per shot, the R21 vaccine is more affordable than current options. Children between the ages of five and 36 months will receive three doses, followed by a booster a year later. Clinical trials have demonstrated the vaccine’s efficacy to be as high as 80% one year after the fourth dose.
The distribution of the R21 vaccine will be supported by international health organizations such as Gavi, the WHO, the Global Fund, and UNICEF. The developers stated, “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.” Gavi and its partners are collaborating with over 30 African countries that have expressed interest in introducing the malaria vaccine.
The deployment of the R21 vaccine in Ivory Coast marks a significant advancement in the fight against malaria, offering hope for millions of children at risk. This initiative not only represents a triumph of medical science but also underscores the importance of global collaboration in addressing public health challenges. As more countries prepare to introduce the vaccine, the potential to drastically reduce malaria’s impact across Africa grows, paving the way for a healthier future for the continent.
