WHO Prequalification to R21/Matrix-M Vaccine

• 23 Dec 2023

Source: TH

Why in News?

In a significant development in the global fight against malaria, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recently added the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine to its list of prequalified vaccines.

• Developed by Oxford University and manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, this vaccine holds promise in preventing malaria in children.
• The R21/Matrix-M vaccine became the second malaria vaccine to achieve WHO prequalification, the first one was the RTS, S/AS01 vaccine.

What is the Significance of WHO Prequalification?

• WHO prequalification of the R21 vaccine serves as a robust assurance of the safety and efficacy of the vaccine.
  • Products that achieve WHO prequalification gain credibility and are more readily accepted in international markets, as WHO applies rigorous international standards to evaluate their safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing compliance.
• WHO prequalification is often a prerequisite for procurement by international organizations, such as the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
  • It enhances the likelihood of a vaccine being included in global immunization programs, ensuring a wider reach.
• WHO prequalification is instrumental in securing Gavi support, enabling the implementation of vaccination programs in regions with limited resources.
  • Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, created in 2000 provides funding support for the deployment of vaccines in developing countries.

What is Malaria?

• About:
  • It is a life-threatening mosquito-borne blood disease caused by Plasmodium parasites. It is preventable and curable.
    • Predominantly found in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, South America, and Asia.
  • Malaria spreads through infected female Anopheles mosquito bites, with parasites multiplying in the liver and subsequently attacking Red Blood Cells.
    • Among the five parasite species causing malaria, Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax present the highest threat to human health.
  • Symptoms of malaria include fever and flu-like illness, including shaking chills, headache, muscle aches, and tiredness.
• Malaria Burden:
  • Malaria places a particularly high burden on children in the African region, where nearly half a million children die from the disease each year.
  • In 2022, there were an estimated 249 million malaria cases in the world and 6,08,00 malaria deaths across 85 countries.
• Initiatives to Curb Malaria:
  • Global:
    • E-2025 initiative.
    • Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016–2030.
  • India:
    • National Framework for Malaria Elimination (NFME).
    • National Strategic Plan for Malaria Elimination (2017-22).
    • The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)’s Malaria Elimination Research Alliance-India (MERA-India)

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Prelims

Q. Widespread resistance of malarial parasite to drugs like chloroquine has prompted attempts to develop a malarial vaccine to combat malaria. Why is it difficult to develop an effective malaria vaccine? (2010)

(a) Malaria is caused by several species of Plasmodium

(b) Man does not develop immunity to malaria during natural infection

(c) Vaccines can be developed only against bacteria

(d) Man is only an intermediate host and not the definitive host

Ans: (b)