R21/Matrix-M vaccine, developed by the University of Oxford, is the first malaria vaccine to reach 75% efficacy target

A highly effective malaria vaccine has been recommended for widespread use by the World Health Organization.

The R21/Matrix-M vaccine, developed by the University of Oxford, is only the second malaria vaccine to be recommended by the WHO. It is the first to meet the WHO’s target of 75% efficacy.

Malaria, a mosquito-borne disease, claims half a million lives every year and mostly affects children under the age of five, and pregnant women.

“As a malaria researcher, I used to dream of the day we would have a safe and effective vaccine against malaria. Now we have two,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the WHO.