Serum Institute sends first Oxford, Novavax malaria vaccines to Africa

The Serum Institute of India (SII) has commenced the distribution of its R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccines to the Central African Republic, marking a significant step in their commitment to delivering vaccines to Africa. As the world’s largest vaccine maker by volume, SII, in collaboration with the University of Oxford and Novavax, aims to combat malaria in the region with this new vaccine.

In their recent announcement, SII disclosed that the first consignment of R21/Matrix-M vaccines has been sent to the Central African Republic, with plans to extend deliveries to South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the near future. To date, SII has released 43,200 doses specifically for the Central African Republic. The institute has reported manufacturing a total of 25 million doses, with the capability to escalate production to 100 million doses annually.

The R21/Matrix-M vaccine, co-developed by SII and the University of Oxford, is the second vaccine approved for use in children in malaria-prone areas, following GSK’s Mosquirix. The vaccine employs Novavax’s Matrix-M adjuvant, enhancing its effectiveness. The World Health Organization (WHO) approved the vaccine for children in October, highlighting its ease of deployment, cost-effectiveness, and potential to save hundreds of thousands of lives annually.

Malaria remains a major health crisis in Africa, with the continent experiencing 94% of global malaria cases and 95% of malaria deaths in 2022, according to WHO. Tragically, children under five years old accounted for 80% of these deaths. The introduction of the R21/Matrix-M vaccine represents a crucial intervention in addressing this public health emergency.

The SII's recent actions come after several failed attempts by other pharmaceutical companies to establish a sustainable vaccine supply in Africa. For instance, Moderna recently reconsidered its plan to build a $500 million vaccine production facility in Africa, citing a lack of vaccine orders from the region since 2022. This decision drew criticism from the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which argued that Moderna’s move exacerbated the continent’s struggle with its pandemic response.

Similarly, BioNTech did not proceed with its previously announced plan to set up a vaccine manufacturing plant in South Africa. This series of setbacks highlights the challenges and unmet promises that Africa faces in securing reliable vaccine supplies.

Contrastingly, GSK has made strides with its Mosquirix malaria vaccine. In the summer of 2022, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) agreed to a contract worth up to $170 million to purchase 18 million doses of Mosquirix over three years, ensuring a steady supply of the vaccine to the region.

The R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine rollout by SII, alongside the University of Oxford and Novavax, demonstrates a strong commitment to addressing the malaria crisis in Africa. Their efforts stand in stark contrast to other companies that have faltered in their promises, bringing hope for improved public health outcomes across the continent.