The Global School Forum Presents: The First Malaria Vaccine Has Been Approved! What’s Next?

Ann M Moormann, PhD, MPH, FAAS, FASTMH

Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School

Malaria was responsible for 247 million illnesses and 619,000 deaths last year and continues to be a global health priority. In 2021, the World Health Organization approved the first malaria vaccine (RTS,S) for use in young children residing in high malaria transmission areas, even though this vaccine has less than 50% efficacy. There are additional challenges before malaria vaccines will make an impact in the fight against malaria, such as limitations in production and ethical distribution within resource-constrained areas where malaria is most prevalent and the healthcare infrastructure is the most fragile. Nevertheless, there is hope. The next-generation of malaria vaccines are under development and research studies are underway to continue to evaluate intrinsic and extrinsic factors which impede malaria vaccine efficacy. How a child’s immune response differs from that of adults will be reviewed as well as what we think we can do to further improve malaria vaccination strategies.  

Reception immediately following