A perspective on Oxford’s R21/Matrix-M™ malaria vaccine and the future of global eradication efforts

• Published in: Malaria Journal
• Main Authors: Nicholas Aderinto, Gbolahan Olatunji, Emmanuel Kokori, Sodeeq Sikirullahi, John Ehi Aboje, Rebecca Ebokondu Ojabo
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2024
• Subjects: Malaria; Vaccine; R21/Matrix-M; WHO; Eradication; Global Health; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Infectious and parasitic diseases; RC109-216; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-024-04846-w; https://doaj.org/article/2f8466f4d6a045dd8af4a26f4485b140

Abstract Malaria affects millions of lives annually, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. Despite being largely preventable, 2021 witnessed 247 million infections and over 600,000 deaths across 85 countries. In the ongoing battle against malaria, a promising development has emerged with the endorsement by the World Health Organization (WHO) of the R21/Matrix-M™ Malaria Vaccine. Developed through a collaboration between the University of Oxford and Novavax, this vaccine has demonstrated remarkable efficacy, reaching 77% effectiveness in Phase 2 clinical trials. It is designed to be low-dose, cost-effective, and accessible, with approval for use in children under three years old. This perspective paper critically examines the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine, its development, potential impact on global malaria eradication efforts, and the challenges and opportunities it presents.