MMVC: Booster dose of R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine candidate highly efficacious

Researchers from the EDCTP2-funded Multi-Stage Malaria Vaccine Consortium (MMVC) have reported in The Lancet Infectious Diseases a maintained high efficacy of a booster dose of the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine candidate at 1 year following the primary three-dose regimen. The results were covered in several international media reports. MMVC is developing the first multi-stage vaccine for malaria, designed to target different stages of the Plasmodium falciparum parasite. The consortium previously reported that R21/Matrix-M is safe, immunogenic and has an efficacy of 77%, exceeding the WHO goal of 75% efficacy for over 12 months in the target population of African children. The trial is ongoing to assess long-term follow-up of these participants and the value of further booster vaccinations.