Serum Institute of India (SII), the world’s largest manufacturer of vaccines by number of doses, has shipped the first set of R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine to Africa, stated a press release dated May 29, 2024 posted on the website of the Poona-based Group. The initial shipment will be sent to the Central African Republic (CAR), followed by South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo in the next coming days, stated the release. "In total, 1,63,800 doses of the vaccine have been specifically allocated for CAR region,” stated the note. Till date, SII has manufactured 25 million doses with a capacity to scale up to 100 million doses annually. The R21/Matrix-M vaccine is the second malaria vaccine to be authorized for use in children in malaria-endemic regions.
From l: Natasha and Adar Poonawalla, Eric Garcetti
Developed through collaboration between the Jenner Institute at Oxford University and SII leveraging Novavax’s adjuvant technology, the vaccine received support from the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership, the Wellcome Trust, and the European Investment Bank, as per the press note. An adjuvant is an ingredient that helps create a stronger immune response in people receiving the vaccine so that the vaccines work better. The malaria vaccine was flagged off at SII’s facility in Poona when "notable dignitaries and US delegates, including Eric Garcetti, US Ambassador to India; Dr Mehreen Datoo, associate fellow, Nuffield department of medicine, University of Oxford; Silvia Taylor, executive vice president, Novavax among others were in attendance for various engagements.
Garcetti stated, "The development of the vaccine represents a great step forward in our battle against this deadly parasite. The quality, affordable vaccines that will be produced through this partnership between Novavax and SII will prevent hundreds of thousands of deaths every year across the globe.”
"Developing a vaccine to greatly impact this huge disease burden has been extraordinarily difficult. At SII, we are committed to our vision of Health for All and ensuring equitable access to vaccines for people around the world,” SII chief executive officer Adar Poonawalla had stated when announcing the news of the development of the vaccine last year (see "Combating malaria,” Business, Parsiana, June 7-20, 2023).