R21/Matrix-M Vaccine: A Hope for Malaria Elimination in Africa

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Extract from the article: On Wednesday, December 4, 2024, the Serum Institute of India, in collaboration with the University of Oxford, introduced the R21/Matrix-M vaccine in Lomé. This new hope in the fight against malaria was presented during a symposium organized by the...

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On Wednesday, December 4, 2024, the Serum Institute of India, in collaboration with the University of Oxford, introduced the R21/Matrix-M vaccine in Lomé. This new hope in the fight against malaria was presented during a symposium organized by the Togolese Society of Pediatrics (SOTOPED). Recently approved by the World Health Organization (WHO), the vaccine represents a significant milestone in combating a disease that remains one of the leading causes of mortality in Africa.

Despite the progress made in fighting malaria, the disease continues to pose a major threat to global health. In 2022, malaria claimed an estimated 608,000 lives, 95% of which occurred in Africa, the hardest-hit region. African children are particularly vulnerable: nearly half a million children die from malaria annually. This grim reality underscores the urgent need for an effective and sustainable solution, and the R21/Matrix-M vaccine may offer a vital answer to this crisis.

A Promising Vaccine

The R21/Matrix-M vaccine is the first malaria vaccine to demonstrate an efficacy exceeding 75%, thereby meeting WHO’s target. It is specifically designed for children over one year old, who are most at risk of contracting the disease.

Vaccination Schedule and Administration

The vaccination process involves four doses:

• First dose at 5 months,
• Second dose at 6 months,
• Third dose at 7 months,
• Booster dose at 18 months.

For children under 24 months, the vaccine is administered in the anterolateral thigh. For children older than 24 months, the preferred site is the deltoid muscle. However, if the deltoid muscle mass is insufficient, the anterolateral thigh remains an alternative.

Side Effects and Precautions

Like any vaccine, R21/Matrix-M may cause side effects, including:

• Fever: 42.3% of cases,
• Pain at the injection site: 16.4%,
• Drowsiness: 1.5%,
• Swelling at the injection site: 3.3%.

Vaccination should be postponed for children with severe febrile illnesses, but minor infections, such as a cold, are not a contraindication.

Deployment in Togo

In 2025, Togo will integrate the R21/Matrix-M vaccine into its Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI). It will be available nationwide at 13,000 FCFA per dose, making this innovation accessible to a broad audience. Interface Pharma will oversee the vaccine's promotion in Togo.

This initiative, driven by dedicated stakeholders like the Serum Institute of India and the University of Oxford, marks a giant step toward a future where malaria becomes a thing of the past.

Raymond DZAKPATA