WHO recommends vaccines for endangered children

Talk to Today’s medical news, Professor Jake BaumThe new vaccine is an important achievement, said the co-director of the Institute of Infectious Diseases at Imperial College London, UK.

“Malaria is different from COVID-19. As several panel members revealed in the WHO announcement, it is a complex eukaryotic parasite that resembles one of our own cells. Since it is neither a virus nor a bacterium, it will always be much more difficult to make a vaccine against it — [there are] Thousands of gene pairs [around] A dozen of SARS-CoV-2 viruses.

“It also co-evolved with our immune system and took thousands of years to evade detection, so it’s a solid enemy to try to attack. First approval for malaria as well as human parasitic diseases. As a vaccine, it’s a big achievement. “

“Yes, it’s not as effective as the COVID-19 vaccine, [a] Significant impact on illness and mortality. And it sets a large benchmark that we all can work towards defeating. So I think it was a very important day for vaccination and malaria. It’s certainly a breakthrough in public health, “said Professor Baum.

Professor Baum also said that while there are no other imminent vaccines or treatments for malaria, health professionals are beginning to seek out many potentially effective approaches and techniques.

“Clinical trials of vaccines at various life cycle stages of parasites are underway. [that is, the] Blood Stage and Transmission — RTS, S targets the so-called pre-erythrocyte stage, from the bite to the liver. “

“There are also various vaccine strategies under development. [f]From the whole sporozoite (parasite) to a completely different new innovation. These are at various stages of development. Some have been extensively tried in field trials, while others are still in the lab. RNA vaccine will surely come. “

“RTS, S provides benchmarks to measure the success of all these vaccines, and we argue that diversity is needed. Target diversity, strategy diversity — virus-like Particles, messenger RNA, adenoviruses, proteins, whole parasites — and production diversity — […] not only [in the] Rich north, but domestically [lower to middle income countries] This is to ensure that the distribution is fair and does not interfere with transportation. “

“Vaccine combination or combination with other interventions — [such as] Drugs — can improve efficacy, which will be something to watch carefully in the future. “

“In conclusion, RTS, S is the beginning and not the end of the malaria vaccine research renaissance, which means that funders should consider RTS, S as a starting point for their investment. [the] “Development of a new vaccine,” Baum insisted.

Professor Baum also emphasized how the experience of COVID-19 vaccine development would help in the future development of malaria vaccines. However, some of the problems with fair distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine also need to be resolved.

“The rapidly expanding technology at COVID-19 will undoubtedly lead to improved vaccine production, distribution and delivery in the future, but there are also highlighted challenges. The most clearly fair access. Low. Let’s see how difficult it is to vaccinate middle-income countries with the COVID-19 vaccine. This is something that Malaria must overcome and discusses local manufacturing and local distribution. RTS, S shows how it’s done, which is great, “says Professor Baum.

Professor Baum emphasized that vaccines are an exciting and important development, but more work is needed to minimize the effects of malaria.

“In a world of attention, no one should read the news and think that malaria has been resolved. It’s not. Vaccines are groundbreaking, but never 100%.”

“Malaria control and final eradication [are] Diverse tools and interventions, new drugs, mosquito nets, vector control, absolutely A new vaccine with improved efficacy, longer protection and a simpler vaccination plan. “

“Once again, RTS, S beginning It is not the end of investment in future vaccine and malaria research. “