Delivery of Malaria Vaccine Through National Immunization Programs: Achievable and Safe

Three doses of RTS,S/AS01_E vaccine safely reduced hospitalizations due to severe malaria 2 years later.

Multiple studies have assessed efficacy of the RTS,S/AS01_E vaccine (RTS,S) — the world's first licensed malaria vaccine. Now, Asante and colleagues have evaluated feasibility of RTS,S administration as part of national immunization programs in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi (countries with moderate-to-high, year-round malaria transmission; good childhood vaccine coverage; and core malaria interventions). They also assessed safety outcomes previously seen in a phase 3 trial: excess risk for meningitis and cerebral malaria in recipients, and possible excess mortality in vaccinated girls.

Beginning in 2019, the investigators randomized 158 geographical clusters to early or delayed introduction of RTS,S: Three doses were given to recipients aged 5–9 m…

Reviewing Author

Mary E. Wilson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardOneHealthTrust (formerly Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics, and Policy); Global Health Institute, University of Wisconsin

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsJournal of Travel Medicine

Mary E. Wilson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardOneHealthTrust (formerly Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics, and Policy); Global Health Institute, University of Wisconsin

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsJournal of Travel Medicine

Delivery of Malaria Vaccine Through National Immunization Programs: Achievable and Safe

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Reviewing Author