World Malaria Day, observed on 25th April, commemorates a disease that has resulted in over 600,000 fatalities globally as of 2021, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Professor Francis Ndungu, a malaria immunologist with the KEMRI-Wellcome Trust, said Africa is most affected by the disease despite the availability of vaccines.
The Professor said that more than 90% of malaria-related deaths occur in Africa, mostly in children under five years old.
Francis Ndungu pointed out that malaria not only has an impact on mortality rates but also education and the economy, which is why a highly effective malaria vaccine is needed.
The only malaria vaccine currently licensed by the WHO is RTS, S. There is also optimism about a new vaccine developed by Oxford University. This is R21 and preliminary results have shown it to be effective.
Professor Francis explained that this vaccine is in phase 3 trials in Kenya, Tanzania, Mali, and Burkina Faso. The data from this phase trial will be provided to WHO for evaluation and once approved, the vaccine could be rolled out.