Scaling up malaria vaccines in Africa

AI Summary

Investment in malaria control in Africa has significantly reduced global malaria mortality and incidence rates, yet current progress falls short of 2025 targets. WHO-endorsed vaccines RTS,S and R21 hold promise as part of integrated malaria strategies requiring effective delivery and community engagement.

Sustained investment in malaria control has more than halved the global malaria mortality rate over the past 25 years and reduced incidence by 19%. However, this falls short of global targets of a 75% reduction in both rates by 2025 compared with 2015 levels, hampered by increasing levels of drug and insecticide resistance.12As Sorgho et al highlight, incorporating malaria vaccines into an integrated malaria control strategy (encompassing vector control, chemoprevention, diagnosis, and treatment1) could significantly accelerate progress.3 WHO currently recommends two vaccines, RTS,S and R21/Matrix-M (R21), with more under development seeking to interrupt disease transmission or reduce disease burden through other mechanisms.3 However, developing and manufacturing vaccines is only a starting point; translating these breakthroughs into sustained population-level impact requires effective, efficient, and equitable delivery through countries’ health systems while engaging communities to build awareness and trust.4Since WHO’s recommendations, the introduction of these vaccines has been one of the most...