DTMT Network

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended widespread use of the RTS, S/AS01 (RTS,S) malaria vaccine among children in sub-Saharan Africa and in other regions with moderate to high P. falciparum malaria transmission.

According to the WHO data,  More than 260 000 African children under the age of five die from malaria annually. The vector-borne disease remains a primary cause of childhood illness and death in sub-Saharan Africa.

The UN agency has said that the recommendation is based on results from an ongoing pilot program in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi that has reached more than 800 000 children since 2019.

The WHO has recommended that RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine should be provided in a schedule of 4 doses in children from 5 months of age for the reduction of malaria disease and burden.

WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, “This is a historic moment. The long-awaited malaria vaccine for children is a breakthrough for science, child health and malaria control.”  

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, added that using this vaccine on top of existing  tools to prevent malaria could save tens of thousands of young lives each year.

"For centuries, malaria has stalked sub-Saharan Africa, causing immense personal suffering,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.

Dr Matshidiso Moeti, added, “We have long hoped for an effective malaria vaccine and now for the first time ever, we have such a vaccine recommended for widespread use.”

“Today’s recommendation offers a glimmer of hope for the continent which shoulders the heaviest burden of the disease and we expect many more African children to be protected from malaria and grow into healthy adults,” added Moeti.