What is R21/Matrix-MTM?

The correct answer is option 3.

Key Points

• R21/Matrix-M™ is a malaria vaccine developed by the University of Oxford and manufactured by Serum Institute of India (SII) in collaboration with Novavax. Hence, option 3 is correct.
• It is an improved version of RTS,S/AS01 (the first malaria vaccine).
• The Matrix-M™ component is an adjuvant developed by Novavax to enhance the immune response.
• The vaccine has shown high efficacy (around 75%) in clinical trials and has been approved for use in several African countries.
• The WHO approved this vaccine in 2023, marking a major step in malaria prevention.

Additional Information

• About Malaria:
  • Cause: Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites, with P. falciparum and P. vivax being the most common in humans.
  • Transmission: It is spread through the bite of female Anopheles mosquitoes.
  • Symptoms: Fever, chills, headache, nausea, muscle pain, and severe complications like organ failure in severe cases.
  • Global Impact:
    • Malaria is a major public health issue, particularly in Africa, South Asia, and South America.
    • In 2021, the WHO reported approximately 247 million malaria cases worldwide, with 619,000 deaths.
    • Children under 5 and pregnant women are at the highest risk.