Cut-Price Malaria Vaccine To Commence Africa Rollout In May

The world’s largest vaccine manufacturer is set to commence the distribution of an affordable malaria vaccine across Africa in May, bolstering the fight against one of the most deadly infectious diseases globally.

The mosquito-borne malady kills more than 600,000 people a year, 95 percent of them in Africa, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

It is more fatal among the young, and the annual toll of malaria deaths includes nearly half a million African children aged under five.

The Serum Institute of India (SII) this year plans to ship 25 million doses of the new vaccine, developed along with Oxford University researchers and known as R21.

“In terms of importance and saving lives… it’s going to be a hugely impactful vaccine” SII chief executive Adar Poonawalla told AFP.