Almost six years ago, we embarked on a journey to deal with malaria, one of the most deadly diseases on the continent. Burkina Faso, which killed nearly 5,000 children each year from malaria in 2019, became the center of the R21 malaria vaccine phase II trial. What began as a scientific challenge for my colleagues and me has transformed into a historic public health outcome that we all take pride in.
Today, the R21 malaria vaccine is deployed in 17 countries, with the Indian Serum Institute expanding its manufacturing capacity to 200 million doses a year, responding to the growing demand for vaccines to protect young children from this life-threatening disease. This is a very safe and effective vaccine (which has shown an effectiveness of over 75% in clinical trials) and is affordable.
Ultimately, there are tools to make malaria history with the introduction of R21, the most affordable vaccine. Another malaria vaccine, RTS, S, plays a pivotal role in the fight against the disease. Lessons learned from the introduction of RTS, S, S, S, S, S, S, S, S, S, S, and S pilots in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi between 2019 and 2023 showed the ability to contribute to a reduction in malaria disease, a 13% reduction in overall child mortality and a significant reduction in hospitalizations.
Together, the two vaccines are reshaping the malaria prevention landscape. The R21 vaccine is a key breakthrough in meeting critical public health needs given its affordability and availability, and is key to tackling rising malaria infection rates. In certain regions, including Burkina Faso, malaria can become more common in certain times of the year. It often peaks during the rainy season. In regions with this highly seasonal malaria infection, the R21 vaccine could reduce clinical malaria cases by more than 75%. In the low to moderate transmission area, two-thirds of cases are reduced. For communities that have long been burdened with the unforgiving sacrifice of this disease, these numbers represent a lifeline.
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But our hard work and progress is at risk. In fact, fundraising and global government prioritization are important to maintain and expand this momentum. The recent news that USAID funding for several malaria vaccine programs has been cut has been highly concerning. Without international financial support, the country would be forced to take charge of the costs of these life-saving vaccines. For a country like Burkina Faso, this means we are unable to get to our children quickly enough and threatening to cancel years of work and progress.
A malaria-free world is ultimately within reach, but without the resources needed, we risk it allowing us to claim the lives we worked to save hard. Therefore, this progress is fragile and World Malaria Day serves as a heart-pounding reminder of the remaining challenges. It’s time for global leaders to step up, recommend and invest in the fight against malaria. Vaccine Behavior – We know they are one of the most effective tools in fighting infectious diseases. However, if they are not accessible, they are meaningless.
