R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine
WHY IN NEWS ?
The R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine has been recommended for use by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
What is Adjuvant
- An adjuvant is an ingredient in a vaccine that enhances the immune system’s response to that vaccine.
- Adjuvants help the immune system better recognize what’s in a vaccine and remember it longer, increasing the amount of time that a vaccine may offer protection.
What is Malaria?
- Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by the Plasmodium parasite.
- This parasite is transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.
- The other malaria species which can infect humans are P. malariae, P. ovale and P. knowlesi.
Initiatives to control Malaria by WHO
- The WHO’s Global technical strategy for malaria 2016–2030 aims to reduce malaria case incidence and mortality rates by at least 40% by 2020, at least 75% by 2025 and at least 90% by 2030 against a 2015 baseline.
- ‘E-2025 Initiative’: The WHO has identified 25 countries with the potential to eradicate malaria by 2025 under the initiative.
Indian government Initiatives to Control Malaria:
- The Government of India set a target to eliminate malaria in India by 2027.
- In India, a National Framework for Malaria Elimination (NFME) has been developed and launched in 2016 aligned with the Global Technical Strategy (GTS) for malaria elimination 2016-2030.
SOURCE – THE HINDU
