ZAMBIA, Lusaka, November 26, 2024 -/African Media Agency(AMA)/- A groundbreaking study carried out by 1Day Africa, the African chapter of the American public health non-profit organization 1Day Sooner, has revealed the cost-effectiveness high of the new R21 malaria vaccine compared to existing interventions such as insecticide-treated bed nets (ITN), seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) and mosquito control strategies. The study analyzed the cost-effectiveness of two leading malaria vaccines, R21 and RTS,S, providing critical insight into their potential impact on global health.
Context and rationale
Malaria remains a serious threat to global health, with an estimated 249 million cases and 608,000 deaths reported in 2022, 95% of them in sub-Saharan Africa. For African nations, many of which are low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), it is crucial that malaria interventions are affordable. Although traditional malaria prevention strategies have had an impact, their effectiveness is challenged by resistance, funding gaps and rapid population growth. The introduction of new vaccines such as R21 offers a unique opportunity to boost malaria prevention efforts.
Comparative analysis of the R21 vaccine and traditional interventions
The study presents a preliminary cost-effectiveness analysis using the metric of dollars per disability-adjusted life year (DALY) averted, normalized to 2024 US dollars.
- The R21 vaccine is found to be almost as cost-effective as insecticide-treated bed nets, at $39 per DALY compared to $38 per DALY for bed nets, making it a competitive alternative.
- The RTS,S vaccine, although more expensive at $129 per DALY, remains more economical than vector control methods, which cost approximately $296 per DALY.
The results highlight the potential of the R21 vaccine to revolutionize malaria prevention strategies, complementing existing interventions while addressing affordability challenges in LMICs. The cost difference between RTS,S and R21 is largely explained by production efficiencies, as the Serum Institute of India, which produces R21, excels at manufacturing vaccines at low cost and in large quantities. volume.
“Our study confirms what other African health care leaders have said: the R21 vaccine and other creative, affordable solutions are essential to fighting malaria. The R21 vaccine significantly reduces the burden of malaria and improves the health of millions of people across the region, with proven effectiveness comparable to traditional preventative measures,” said Zacharia Kafuko, director of 1Day Africa.
The importance of the R21 vaccine rollout
The successful deployment of the R21 vaccine marks a crucial moment in the fight against malaria, characterized by several key factors:
1. Production and delivery gaps: By the end of 2025, projections indicate that up to 200 million doses of R21 could be produced, enough to vaccinate 50 million children. However, current delivery frameworks represent only 25 million doses. Closing this gap could save 250,000 lives, hence the urgent need to accelerate production and distribution plans.
2. Cost-effectiveness: With a dose priced at $3.90, significantly lower than that of the RTS,S vaccine ($10.20), the R21 vaccine constitutes a practical, scalable and sustainable solution for vaccination efforts. large-scale vaccination in African countries.
3. Saturation of traditional interventions: Although traditional interventions such as SMCs, insecticide-treated bed nets, and vector control have been effective, they are becoming less cost-effective due to resistance issues and widespread use. The R21 vaccine provides an innovative and very promising complement to these existing strategies.
Methods used
To reach these conclusions, the study reviewed existing research on malaria interventions, converting financial data to 2024 dollars for consistency and using cost-effectiveness ratio (CER) to assess the effectiveness of interventions. The dataset covers multiple geographic regions and targets varied age groups.
Results and discussion
The study shows that insecticide-treated bed nets remain the most cost-effective intervention, closely followed by R21. However, the broader implications suggest that R21 could significantly improve malaria prevention strategies, given its cost-effectiveness and scalability.
The detailed analysis did not lump R21 and RTS,S together, instead emphasizing the standalone impact of R21. For different interventions, direct comparisons remain complicated due to different methodological approaches, diversity in malaria burdens and logistical considerations specific to each region. Nevertheless, the study highlights that strategic integration of R21 could redefine malaria prevention.
Call to action
The 1Day Sooner study establishes that the R21 vaccine is a promising and cost-effective new tool against malaria, comparable to the most effective existing interventions. There is now an urgent need to increase financial commitment to close the gap between production and delivery, to ensure widespread access, particularly in low-income countries where costs are most prohibitive.
The urgency of implementing the R21 agenda requires consistent global transparency and cooperation. Organizations like Gavi, the Gates Foundation and UNICEF must commit to action, improving the visibility of current plans and overcoming existing bottlenecks to ensure this promising intervention reaches those who need it most. need. Meanwhile, rising demand for vaccines from several African nations underscores the widespread eagerness for deployment.
For more information, visit 1Day Africa’s R21 campaign page here.
Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) pour 1Day Sooner.
About 1Day Sooner
1Day Sooner, a U.S.-based nonprofit organization, is dedicated to accelerating the development and deployment of life-saving medical research and policy interventions. 1Day Africa, its African chapter, is committed to advancing the continent’s capabilities in local medical research and healthcare delivery, particularly for infectious diseases.
For more information, visit www.1daysooner.org or follow them on LinkedIn, X and Bluesky.
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Source : African Media Agency (AMA)
2024-11-26 10:00:00
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