India’s First Indigenous Malaria Vaccine
Overview
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The Union government has granted licences to five firms to manufacture India’s first indigenous malaria vaccine.
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Developed by ICMR in collaboration with the National Institute of Malaria Research (NIMR) and National Institute of Immunology (NII), New Delhi.
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Vaccine name: AdFalciVax (recombinant chimeric multi-stage malaria vaccine targeting Plasmodium falciparum). India's first multi stage malaria vaccine.
AdFalciVax aims to target two critical stages of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum to provide broader protection and reduce community transmission.
Key Features of the Vaccine
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Targets the parasite before it enters the bloodstream, preventing infection and reducing community transmission.
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Stable, affordable, and scalable for mass immunisation.
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Effective for more than nine months at room temperature – no strict cold chain required.
Significance
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Malaria is a major public health issue in India:
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India carries 1.4% of the global malaria burden.
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Accounts for 66% of malaria cases in Southeast Asia.
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Goal: Prevent and minimise malaria transmission in India and strengthen public health infrastructure.
| Vaccine | Type / Approach | Target / Mechanism | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| RTS,S/AS01 or Mosquirix |
Protein-based | Fragment of circumsporozoite protein (CSP) of P. falciparum | WHO-recommended; first malaria vaccine in the world |
| R21/Matrix-M | Protein-based | CSP of P. falciparum; enhanced T-cell response | Oxford University; easier to manufacture than RTS,S |
| Attenuated Whole Sporozoite Vaccines | Live-attenuated parasite | Whole parasite (weakened) | Induces broad immune protection |
| PfSPZ-Cvac | Chemically attenuated sporozoite | Sporozoites weakened to prevent disease | Example of whole-parasite approach |
| Genetically Engineered Sporozoites | Live-attenuated / gene-edited | Sporozoites with gene deletions, stopping development into merozoites | High efficacy in early trials |
| Transmission-Blocking Vaccines (TBVs) | Multi-stage / sexual stage | Targets gametocyte antigens (e.g., Pfs230, Pfs48/45) | Prevents mosquito transmission of parasite |
| Multi-Stage Vaccines | Multi-stage | Targets multiple parasite stages, including blood stage | Goal: comprehensive malaria protection |
| P. vivax Vaccines | Species-specific | Targets P. vivax parasites | Focused on another malaria species common in Asia/Latin America |
Key Points for Exams:
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RTS,S/AS01 and R21/Matrix-M are WHO-recommended.
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Multi-stage and transmission-blocking vaccines aim for broader protection and reduced transmission.
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Gene-edited and attenuated vaccines are examples of next-generation malaria vaccines.