Ivory Coast Launches Second Malaria Vaccine in Global Milestone

Côte d’Ivoire has launched the world’s second malaria vaccine, marking a significant advancement in the global fight against the disease. The new R21 vaccine, developed by the University of Oxford in collaboration with the Serum Institute of India, was introduced on Monday as part of a routine immunization program in the West African nation. This launch follows the deployment of the RTS,S vaccine by British drugmaker GSK in Cameroon six months prior.

The rollout in Côte d’Ivoire includes 656,600 doses of the R21 vaccine, targeting 250,000 children aged 0 to 23 months. The vaccine has also received approval for use in Ghana, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and the Central African Republic. The introduction of this vaccine is expected to significantly enhance malaria prevention efforts, complementing existing tools like bed nets in combating a disease that claims nearly half a million young lives annually in Africa.

Manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, the R21 vaccine has demonstrated effectiveness in preventing about 75% of symptomatic malaria cases in young children, according to recent trials. The Serum Institute is said to be committed to scaling up production to 100 million doses annually and has priced the vaccine at under $4 per dose to ensure accessibility. Despite the promising advancements, experts warn that initial supply may not meet the high demand in the coming years.