14/10/2021 - Health

KEY POINTS

·        The WHO recommending ‘widespread use’ of RTS,S/AS01 (RTS,S), the world’s first malaria vaccine.

·        As per the World Malaria Report (WMR) 2020, there were 229 million cases of malaria and 409,000 related deaths reported in 2019; the burden continues to be high.

·        The WHO’s recommendation of RTS,S is based on the results from an ongoing pilot in three African countries;

·        RTS,S acts against Plasmodium falciparum, the more virulent strain of the parasite that also happens to account for over 95% of the malarial cases across the globe.

·        The fact that cases of resistance against anti-malarial (treatment) drugs, including artemisinin, are getting reported with increased frequency suggests vaccines will have to be relied upon more.

·        India, a high malaria-endemic country, has made significant strides against malaria.

·        The WMR 2020 makes particular note of the fact that it reported the largest absolute decline in annual cases in the WHO’s Southeast Asian region—from 20 million in 2000 to 5.6 million in 2019.

·        But, even when malaria is not fatal, research shows, with repeated attacks, it alters the body’s immunity in ways that weaken defences against pathogens, especially among children.

·        Besides, the African pilot shows it has had no negative impact on use of insecticide-treated bednets and health-seeking behaviour for febrile illnesses. 

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