Serum Institute of India Ships First Batch of Malaria Vaccine To Africa
Serum Institute of India Ships First Batch of Malaria Vaccine To Africa
Initial shipment destined for Central African Republic; CEO Adar Poonawalla highlights continent’s need.
21 May 2024
In a significant development in the fight against malaria, the Serum Institute of India (SII) has commenced the distribution of its R21/Matrix-M™ malaria vaccine to Africa. The first consignment of the vaccine is slated for dispatch to the Central African Republic (CAR), with subsequent deliveries scheduled for other African nations such as South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo in the coming days.
Officials have confirmed that a total of 163,800 doses of the vaccine have been earmarked for the CAR region, with 43,200 doses already dispatched from SII’s Pune facility.
Adar Poonawalla, CEO of Serum Institute of India, emphasised the importance of the R21/Matrix-M™ malaria vaccine for the African continent, stating, “The vaccine is specifically tailored to combat the parasite prevalent in Africa.”
Addressing future plans, Poonawalla disclosed, “In India, we are in the process of developing a dengue vaccine, which is expected to be launched within the next two to three years. Clinical trials are currently underway, and once completed, the vaccine will be made available in India.”
Developed in collaboration with the University of Oxford and Novavax’s Matrix-M™ adjuvant, the R21/Matrix-M™ vaccine represents a significant advancement in malaria prevention. It is the second malaria vaccine authorised for use in children residing in malaria-endemic regions.
The shipment of the malaria vaccine to Africa underscores SII’s commitment to global health initiatives and its mission to combat infectious diseases worldwide.
