In October 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended RTS,S/AS01 (RTS,S), for use in children at risk in sub-Saharan Africa and in other regions with moderate to high transmission of which disease caused by Plasmodium falciparum?

The correct answer is Malaria.

Key Points

• In October 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended the RTS,S/AS01 (RTS,S) malaria vaccine for children at risk in sub-Saharan Africa and in other regions with moderate to high transmission of malaria.
• RTS,S/AS01, also known as Mosquirix, is the first and only vaccine shown to significantly reduce malaria and life-threatening severe malaria in young children.
• The recommendation is based on results from an ongoing pilot programme in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi that has reached more than 800,000 children since 2019.
• Malaria is caused by the Plasmodium parasite, with Plasmodium falciparum being the most deadly species and the most prevalent in Africa.

Additional Information

• Plasmodium falciparum:
  • It is the most dangerous of the malaria parasites that infect humans.
  • It is responsible for the majority of malaria-related deaths globally.
  • Transmission occurs through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito.
• World Health Organization (WHO):
  • WHO is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health.
  • It was established on 7 April 1948 and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
  • WHO plays a critical role in the coordination of global health responses and disease prevention strategies.
• RTS,S/AS01 (Mosquirix) Vaccine:
  • Developed by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) in partnership with the PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative.
  • The vaccine works by triggering the immune system to defend against the first stages of malaria when the parasite enters the human host’s bloodstream through a mosquito bite.
  • It is administered in a series of four doses in children from 5 months of age.
• Global Malaria Burden:
  • In 2020, there were an estimated 241 million malaria cases and 627,000 malaria deaths worldwide.
  • Approximately 95% of malaria cases and 96% of malaria deaths occur in the WHO African Region.
  • Children under 5 years of age are the most vulnerable group affected by malaria.