THE global fight against malaria has received a boost with the development of the world’s first effective vaccine. However, the challenge now is to ensure that there is enough supply to meet demand. Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, has released a white paper outlining steps that need to be taken by governments, vaccine manufacturers, and health agencies to achieve this goal.
According to the paper, an estimated 40-60 million doses of the vaccine will be needed by 2026, with demand expected to rise to 80-100 million doses by 2030. This represents a significant challenge, given that malaria remains one of Africa’s biggest killers, with 475,000 deaths of children under the age of 5 recorded on the continent in 2021 alone.
The white paper calls for cooperation between countries and partners in key areas such as demand forecasting, boosting the number of suppliers, and technology transfer. Gavi has also pledged additional co-financing to ensure that countries can access the necessary doses, as well as support for timely applications and fostering innovation in malaria vaccination.
Dr Seth Berkley, CEO of Gavi, emphasised the urgent need for action, noting that it has taken more than 50 years to develop a malaria vaccine. He stressed that with concerted efforts, it is possible to prevent tens of thousands of child deaths every year.
‘It has taken the world more than 50 years to develop a malaria vaccine,’ he said. ‘Yet this year’s launch serves only as a reminder of what needs to happen now if we are to make malaria vaccines accessible to every child that needs them. We know how long African countries have waited for a vaccine against one of its greatest killers: if global health, countries, suppliers and civil society come together, we can soon contribute to preventing tens of thousands of child deaths every year along with other malaria control interventions.’
Gavi has a strong track record in market shaping for life-saving vaccines, and its efforts have helped increase supply and bring down prices. The organisation is committed to doing the same for malaria vaccines and making them available to children everywhere, particularly those who have not received any vaccines.
With the launch of the world’s first malaria vaccine, there is renewed hope that progress can be made in the fight against this deadly disease. The challenge now is to ensure that there is enough supply to meet the growing demand, and that efforts are made to reach those who are most vulnerable.
