Rising Malaria Cases Drive Next-Generation Vaccine Development Beyond Current WHO-Approved Shots

A Johns Hopkins University expert warns that malaria cases are rising globally despite the rollout of two WHO-approved vaccines, RTS,S (Mosquirix) and R21, now deployed in 24 countries since their approvals in 2021 and 2023, according to a Dailyhunt report from Madhyamam English. The vaccines reduce severe cases in children by over 50 percent in the first year after three doses, with a fourth recommended to extend waning protection, yet transmission persists amid challenges like supply and access.

Rotary International highlights optimism from these breakthroughs, noting modeling by the WHO that scaled distribution could save half a million children's lives by 2035 in moderate- and high-transmission areas. Dozens of next-generation candidates are advancing, including Australia's Griffith University PlasProtecT vaccine, funded by over AU$3.1 million from Rotary District 9640. Unlike liver-stage focused shots, PlasProtecT targets the blood-stage parasite using killed whole-parasite proteins in a freeze-stable formulation effective against multiple strains. Phase 1 human trials are slated to begin this year, with Phase 2 data expected by 2028, potentially enabling rollout in endemic regions soon after.

Researchers like Miles Stanisic emphasize its broad immune response from over 5,000 parasite proteins, while immunologist Christian Engwerda notes the risk of liver-escape in current vaccines. Retired physician David Perlman, who vaccinated infants in Uganda last year, calls this a vaccine revolution, predicting three or four new options within a decade, including for adults and travelers.

No major conflicting reports emerged in the past two days, though broader efforts continue, such as Maisha Meds partnering with Nigeria's Lagos State on elimination and IFC's €1.1 billion for African drug manufacturing via a Substack update from Rowena Luk. These developments underscore vaccines as key to curbing malaria's toll, even as cases climb.

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI