Children Malaria Vaccination Produces Lower Antibody Titres

Malaria vaccines have been in clinical development since the 1960s, with substantial progress over the past few years. In October 2021, the first of two malaria vaccines was approved to prevent Plasmodium falciparum malaria in children living in regions with moderate to high transmission.

However, recent studies have found maternal antibodies passed to infants can interfere with the response to the malaria vaccine.

The lower antibody titers in infants were attributed to either co-administration with routine vaccines included in the WHO Expanded Programme on Immunization, maternal anti-CSP antibodies, immune status regarding previous exposure, the infant's immature immune system, or a combination of these factors.

Published on October 23, 2024, this observational study conducted in six African countries, researchers concluded that interference between passive immunity and vaccine response is clinically significant and might affect the implementation of next-generation CSP-based vaccines for young infants and mothers and passive immunization with human monoclonal antibodies.

To validate this conclusion, additional clinical studies are being conducted.

As of late October 2024, malaria vaccines are offered in Africa, not the United States.