Malaria vaccine could be a game changer in Africa, study finds
A new study published in the Infectious Diseases of Poverty journal suggests that a new malaria vaccine could significantly reduce the number of cases in sub-Saharan Africa. The vaccine, called R21/Matrix-M, was found to be 77% effective in a clinical trial involving 4,800 children in Burkina Faso. Malaria is a major health concern in sub-Saharan Africa, with an estimated 94% of global cases occurring in the region. The World Health Organization has set a target of reducing malaria cases by 90% by 2030, and this vaccine could be a crucial step towards achieving that goal. If approved, the vaccine could also help reduce the burden on health systems and increase economic productivity.