Ghana has granted regulatory approval for a new malaria vaccine developed by scientists at Oxford University, marking a groundbreaking milestone. The R21/Matrix-MTM serum has received clearance, making Ghana the pioneering country worldwide to endorse its use, particularly for children aged five to 36 months - a vulnerable age group most susceptible to fatal malaria.
With Ghana being among the 15 countries burdened most by malaria globally, accounting for 4.3% of cases in West Africa according to data from the Severe Malaria Observatory, this approval holds immense significance. In 2021, the World Health Organization estimated over 5 million recorded cases of malaria and more than 12,000 fatalities in the country due to this disease.
The Oxford malaria vaccine, produced using Novavax’s adjuvant technology, has gained acknowledgment as a substantial stride in the ongoing battle against malaria transmitted by mosquitoes.
Adrian Hill, chief investigator of the R21/Matrix-M program, expressed his satisfaction, referring to it as the culmination of 30 years of dedicated malaria vaccine research at Oxford. Hill commended the collaborative efforts of clinical trial partners in Africa for this achievement.
Highlighting the vaccine's production agreement with the Serum Institute of India for up to 200 million doses annually, Hill mentioned that the WHO is presently evaluating its safety and efficacy. He emphasized the growing proactivity of African regulators, recognizing the crucial significance of prioritizing public health within their respective nations.
Oxford University affirms that the "low-dose" R21/Matrix-M vaccine boasts both low cost and high scalability, making it a promising option for mass production and distribution across African nations affected severely by malaria. Notably, clinical trials for this vaccine have been conducted in the UK, Thailand, and various African countries, including an extensive phase III trial involving 4,800 children across Burkina Faso, Kenya, Mali, and Tanzania.