CURRENT AFFAIRS

Detailed explanation-1: -The RTS,S pilot programme is made possible by an unprecedented collaboration between in-country and international partners, including Ministries of Health of Ghana, Kenya and Malawi; in-country evaluation partners; PATH, GSK, UNICEF and others; and the funding bodies of Gavi, the Global Fund and Unitaid.

Detailed explanation-2: -The correct answer is Malawi. Malawi launched the first Malaria vaccine to immunize children on the occasion of World Malaria Day (observed on 25 April). It was launched as part of a pilot program aimed at immunizing children aged 2 years and below in three African countries Malawi, Ghana, and Kenya.

Detailed explanation-3: -A pilot project for vaccination was launched on 23 April 2019 in Malawi, on 30 April 2019 in Ghana, and on 13 September 2019 in Kenya. In October 2021, the vaccine was endorsed by the World Health Organization for “broad use” in children, making it the first malaria vaccine to receive this recommendation.

Detailed explanation-4: -WHO grants prequalification to GSK’s Mosquirix – the first and only approved malaria vaccine. GSK plc (LSE/NYSE: GSK) announced today that the World Health Organization (WHO) has awarded prequalification to Mosquirix (also known as RTS,S/AS01), GSK’s groundbreaking malaria vaccine.

Detailed explanation-5: -The RTSS vaccine was pilot tested on more than one million children in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi and recommended a year ago by the WHO. Despite a low effectiveness rate of 30%, the vaccine has raised hopes that some of the more than 400,000 people who die annually from malaria can be saved.