The World Health Organization endorsed the world’s first malaria vaccine on Wednesday, recommending that it be administered to children across Africa in the hopes of resuming halted efforts to combat the parasitic disease.
Following a meeting at which two of the United Nations’ health agency’s expert advisory panels supported the move, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus termed it “historic.”
“Today’s recommendation provides a ray of hope for the continent, which bears the brunt of the disease’s impact. Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO’s Africa director, added, “We expect many more African youngsters to be protected from malaria and grow up to be healthy adults.”
WHO stated its decision was largely based on the findings of continuing studies in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi, which followed over 800,000 children who had received the vaccination since 2019.
The Mosquirix vaccine was developed by GlaxoSmithKline in 1987. While it is the first to be approved, it does face several difficulties: The vaccine is only around 30% effective, needs four doses, and provides protection for a few months.
