The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recommended Oxford University’s malaria vaccine based on its ability to be mass produced.

The vaccine developed by the university is the second ever to be made, and according to the WHO is “very similar” in efficacy to the first.

However, the key difference is the ability to manufacture the University of Oxford vaccine – named R21 – at scale.

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The Serum Institute of India - the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer – is already set to make more than 100 million doses a year and intends to scale up to 200 million per year.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of WHO, said demand for the malaria vaccines has been "unprecedented".

"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.

"Demand for the RTS,S vaccine far exceeds supply, so this second vaccine is a vital additional tool to protect more children faster, and to bring us closer to our vision of a malaria-free future."

Gareth Jenkins, executive director of advocacy and strategy at Malaria No More UK, said the jab is "another example of the tremendous power of UK-backed research and development".

"Groundbreaking British-led science has taken us a step further in the fight against malaria," he added.

Malaria kills mostly babies and infants, and has been one of the most significant blights on the human race.

 

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This story was written by Matthew Norman, he joined the team in 2022 as a Facebook community reporter.

Matthew covers Bicester and focuses on finding stories from diverse communities.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Matthew.norman@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @OxMailMattN1