A Review of WHO-recommended 21/Matrix-MTM vaccine for the prevention of malaria

Abstract

Background The regulatory-approved R21/Matrix-MTM malaria vaccine is the second of its kind and the product of more than 30 years of research by the Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, UK, and its partners. MethodsWe conducted unsystematic online search for relevant literature and the retrieved materials were then critically studied and synthesised to provide deeper insight into the development, components, clinical trial results and limitations of the R21-Matrix-MTM malaria vaccine. ResultsIn clinical trials, the R21-Matrix-MTM elicited the highest levels of antibodies at a 10 µg dose per injection compared to other tested doses, reaching an efficacy of 77%. Researchers administered the vaccine intramuscularly as a three-dose primary series, with intervals of four weeks each, followed by a booster 12 months after the third dose was completed. The elicited antibodies target the antigen NANP, which is a repeated amino acid sequence asparagine-alanine-asparagine-proline (NANP) embedded within the circumsporozoite protein (CSP) of Plasmodium falciparum. ConclusionThe R21/Matrix-MTM vaccine is a revolutionary intervention to prevent malaria in children between the ages of 3 and 5. We strongly encourage malaria vaccines for the adult group to overcome inequality and form a more formidable force for the eradication of malaria globally. There seem to be less excitement about the vaccine, possibly due to enduring familiarity with malaria and availability of existing interventions, this is likely to interfere with the vaccine uptake and/or adherence to the required doses. There’s needs for public awareness in targeted areas.