The first RTS malaria vaccine, S/AS01, was approved by the organization in 2021, Izvestia writes.
"Both vaccines have proven to be safe and effective in preventing malaria in children. When widely used, they are expected to have a great impact on the health of the population," the report says.
The organization drew attention to the huge demand for malaria vaccines, noting that the available amount of approved vaccine is very limited. It is expected that after the addition of the R21/Matrix-M vaccine to the recommended list, its quantity will be replenished, especially in those regions where malaria poses a threat to public health.
People with the parasite that causes malaria do not always show symptoms in the blood, experts noted. Symptoms of malaria include fever, shivering, chills, headache, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and weakness. If not treated in a timely manner, the infection can cause jaundice, anemia, kidney failure, seizures, confusion, coma and death.
Malaria is treatable if it is diagnosed early enough. In addition, an antimalarial vaccine is currently available.
