Seasonal targeting of the RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine: a complementary tool but sustained funding is required

Abstract

In October 2021, WHO recommended the RTS,S/AS01 (RTS,S) malaria vaccine for widespread use for children living in regions with moderate to high Plasmodium falciparum malaria transmission.1 The recommendation received a positive reception worldwide as, despite being both preventable and treatable, malaria continues to affect the poorest nations, hampering population health, economic growth, and social wellbeing. The vaccine itself is not a silver bullet for malaria burden, offering only a 30% reduction in severe malaria disease when implemented in routine settings.