What is it?

• It is  the world’s first antimalarial vaccine , known by the brand name Mosquirix.
• It is the world’s first licensed malaria vaccine and also the first vaccine licensed for use against a human parasitic disease of any kind.

Why in News:

• The World Health Organization (WHO) is recommending widespread use of the RTS,S/AS01 (RTS,S) malaria vaccine among children in sub-Saharan Africa and in other regions with moderate to high P. falciparum malaria transmission.

About the vaccine

• The vaccine does significantly reduce life-threatening severed malaria.
• Vaccination against malaria does not replace or reduce the need for other measures, including bed nets.

What is malaria?

• Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. It is preventable and curable.
• Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites. The parasites are spread to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes, called “malaria vectors.”
• After entering the human body, parasites initially multiply within the liver cells and then attack the Red Blood Cells (RBCs) resulting in their rupture.
• There are 5 parasite species that cause malaria in humans, and 2 of these species – Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax – pose the greatest threat.
• In 2019, there were an estimated 229 million cases of malaria worldwide.

• To read more about Malaria, its effect in India and various government initiatives, read: https://officerspulse.com/malaria/ 
• To read more about World Malaria Report 2020: https://officerspulse.com/world-malaria-report-2020/ 

References:

1. https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/world-health-organization-recommends-first-anti-malarial-vaccine/article36867500.ece
2. https://www.who.int/news/item/06-10-2021-who-recommends-groundbreaking-malaria-vaccine-for-children-at-risk