A clinical trial conducted across seven sites in Nigeria and Ghana has demonstrated 82% efficacy for the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine in children aged 5 to 36 months — the strongest efficacy result ever recorded for a malaria vaccine in a West African population and a potential breakthrough in the fight against the disease that kills over 200,000 Nigerians annually.

The trial, which followed 4,800 children over 24 months, was conducted by the University of Ibadan, Ahmadu Bello University, and the University of Ghana Medical School in partnership with Oxford University's Jenner Institute and the Serum Institute of India.

How it compares

The WHO-approved RTS,S malaria vaccine achieved 56% efficacy in trials. The new R21/Matrix-M results are considerably stronger and maintained at 76% efficacy after 24 months, suggesting durable protection. Children who received three doses plus a seasonal booster showed the highest protection at 88%.

"Malaria kills a child in Nigeria every two minutes. An 82% effective vaccine, delivered at the right scale, could change everything." — Prof. Umberto D'Alessandro, MRC Unit The Gambia

Regulatory pathway

The Nigerian Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has been presented with the trial data and is expected to issue a regulatory decision within six months. The vaccine has already received approval in Ghana and the Ivory Coast.