Ghana Becomes First Country to Approve ‘World-Changer’ Malaria Vaccine From Oxford University

Date:

A new malaria vaccine developed by Oxford University has been given the green light by Ghanaian authorities for use in Ghana.

The R21/Matrix-M vaccine, developed by Oxford University scientists and manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, “has been approved for use in children aged 5-36 months, the age group most at risk of death from malaria,” according to a statement from the University.

Malaria, a parasite illness spread by mosquitoes, claimed the lives of 627,000 individuals in 2020 alone, the majority of them were African children.

“It is hoped that this crucial first step will enable the vaccine to help Ghanaian and African children effectively fight malaria,” said Oxford.

The Ghanaian government’s approval “marks the culmination of 30 years of malaria vaccine research at Oxford, with the design and availability of a highly effective vaccine that can be delivered on an adequate scale to the countries that need it most,” Adrian Hill, head of the R21/Matrix-M program and a vaccine expert at Oxford, said on Thursday.

It is “a low-dose vaccine that can be manufactured on a large scale and at a modest cost, which would provide hundreds of millions of doses to African countries with a high malaria burden,” he continued.

The vaccine uses Matrix-M adjuvant, a vaccine component with a Novavax patent that is also present in the Covid vaccine produced by a U.S. biotechnology business.

A different vaccine created by British pharmaceutical behemoth GSK was the first malaria vaccine to get WHO approval in 2021. However, studies have revealed that even with a booster dose, the GSK vaccine’s efficacy only reached approximately 60% and drastically decreased with time.

The Oxford R21/Matrix-M vaccine was 77% efficient at preventing malaria, according to 2021 research. The WHO effectiveness objective of 75% was surpassed by vaccination for the first time with this.

Share post:

Subscribe

Popular

More like this
Related

Intellectual Property for Content Creators

Creative content of all kinds must be protected from imitations and illicit copying. In this way LutinX blockchain is the right partner.

Rome Future Week in collaboration with LutinX launch “Future Explores”

Rome Future Week, in collaboration with LutinX, selects 300 young people aged 18 to 30, already professionals or seeking employment, who want to train and acquire the first digital skills certification badge.

Nigeria Takes Bold Steps to Boost eNaira Adoption and Usage

By enabling contactless payments, the CBN hopes to simplify the process of conducting digital transactions.

Ukraine and World Intellectual Property Organization Strengthen Ties

Collaboration include attracting international technical assistance and financial resources to bolster the IP and innovation sectors.

Worldcoin crypto project officially launches with digital identity through eyeball scanning

The team continues to broaden eyeball-scanning signups and plans to extend its reach to more countries in the future.

Agronomist from Cameroon Awarded Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity

Cécile Bibiane Ndjebet has devoted more than three decades to advocating for gender equality and securing land tenure for women.

Nigeria announces its second participation at 2024 Venice Biennale

The historic palace in Dorsoduro will feature an exhibition of nine talented artists from Nigeria and the Nigerian diaspora.

Internet Usage in Tanzania Surges 17% in One Year Due to Kiswahili Content

The availability of local content and language-specific applications plays a crucial role in catering to the needs of the Tanzanian audience.

Ghana’s Newborns to Receive Digital ID Numbers in August

Ghana's Vice President announced the launch of digital ID numbers to newborns, streamlining civil registration and supporting digitalization.

Revolutionizing the Cruise Industry: the World’s First Zero-emission Cruise Ship

The vessels will be equipped with retractable sails with solar panels, artificial intelligence maneuvering, contra-rotating propellers.

Chale Wote Street Art Festival 2023: Africa’s Vibrant Celebration of Artistic Excellence

There will be performance art, graffiti, music stages with 120 musicians and bands, street theater and the SHIKA SHIKA Art Fair.

Wedding in the Hamptons: NBA Superstar Joel Embiid Marries Sports Illustrated Model

The celebration took place in the Hamptons, ultra-exclusive and aristocratic community in Long Island, on July 22, 2023.

16-Year-Old Nigerian Teen Promotes Reading Culture and Mental Health Awareness

Nollywood actress, Joke Silva, expressed her enthusiasm for innovative online book clubhouse, presented by 15-year old Munachi Mbonu.

Preschool Math Teacher Wins Top Spot in National Competition in Tanzania

The competition brought together pre-primary and primary teachers to demonstrate their skills in teaching mathematics

ICC U-19 Cricket Africa Qualifier Kicks Off with Tanzania vs. Kenya Clash

The tournament, held in Dar-es-Salaam, features a round-robin format with six African countries participating.

Passionate Fans Await the Historic 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon

Cameroon stands ready to deliver an unforgettable spectacle that will reverberate throughout Africa and beyond.

Latest Football News: Ghana’s Football Ranking Shows Room for Improvement

With the right strategies and determination, the team can strive to secure a spot in the top 10 of Africa's football rankings.

Nigeria and Canada Face Off in Women’s World Cup 2023

The match between Nigeria and Canada will take place at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium with a kick-off time of 03:30 BST.

Lviv First-year Students Designe Unique Smart Cane for the Visually Impaired

When an obstacle is about two steps away, the sensor sends a signal to the handle, which starts vibrating.

Cameroonian Activist Christelle Bay Nfor Honored for Women Empowerment Initiatives

The prestigious award was presented to her during a high-profile event at the Palace of Westminster, House of Lords, on July 14, 2023.