R21/Matrix-M vaccine has been approved
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has approved a second malaria vaccine to prevent malaria. "The R21 vaccine is the second malaria vaccine recommended by WHO, following the RTS,S/AS01 vaccine, which received a WHO recommendation in 2021," the WHO has said in an official statement.
Can reduce symptomatic cases of malaria by 75%
As per the information available on the WHO website, "in areas with highly seasonal malaria transmission (where malaria transmission is largely limited to 4 or 5 months per year), the R21 vaccine was shown to reduce symptomatic cases of malaria by 75% during the 12 months."
Malaria is one of the major life-threatening diseases
Malaria claims half a million lives in a year and shows severe symptoms in infants, kids under 5 years of age, travellers, people with HIV and pregnant women. "The addition of R21 to the list of WHO-recommended malaria vaccines is expected to result in sufficient vaccine supply to benefit all children living in areas where malaria is a public health risk," the WHO has said.
P.falciparum is the deadliest parasite
Malaria spreads through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. There are 5 Plasmodium parasite species that cause malaria in humans and 2 of these species – P. falciparum and P. vivax – pose the greatest threat. P. falciparum, is the deadliest malaria parasite and if left untreated the malaria caused by it can cause severe illness and death within 24 hours.
Common symptoms to note
The common symptoms of malaria are extreme tiredness and fatigue, impaired consciousness, multiple convulsions, difficulty breathing, dark or bloody urine, jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin) and abnormal bleeding.
Four African countries account for half of global malaria cases
African countries-- Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the United Republic of Tanzania and Niger account for half of the malaria cases that happen all over the world. “This second vaccine holds real potential to close the huge demand-and-supply gap. Delivered to scale and rolled out widely, the two vaccines can help bolster malaria prevention and control efforts and save hundreds of thousands of young lives in Africa from this deadly disease," said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.
How to prevent malaria?
Malaria can be prevented by avoiding mosquito bites and taking precautions like using mosquito nets while sleeping and using mosquito repellant, coils, and vaporizers. It is advisable to wear long-sleeved clothes if malaria cases are found in your place. Another best way to avoid mosquitoes getting inside is using window screens.