(AGENPARL) - Roma, 2 Ottobre 2023 -

(AGENPARL) – lun 02 ottobre 2023 No images? Click here https://worldhealthorganization.cmail19.com/t/d-e-viijykt-iitylyihjr-k/
Monday, 02 October 2023
POST-PRESSER LINKS
Virtual press conference on the outcomes of the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) meeting
Please find here links and resources from this press conference held today, 02 October:
WHO Director-General’s opening remarks [https://www.who.int/director-general/speeches/detail/who-director-general-s-opening-remarks-at-the-sage-media-briefing—2-october-2023]Press release: WHO recommends R21/Matrix-M vaccine for malaria prevention in updated advice on immunization [https://www.who.int/news/item/02-10-2023-who-recommends-r21-matrix-m-vaccine-for-malaria-prevention-in-updated-advice-on-immunization]SAGE meeting highlights: Highlights from the Meeting of the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization 25-29 September 2023 [https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/immunization/sage/2023/september/sage_sept2023_meeting_highlights.pdf?sfvrsn=5ac08c01_4]Audio files (51 min): download and listen [https://who.canto.global/b/KBSM1]; weblink [https://terrance.who.int/mediacentre/presser/WHO-AUDIO-Press_Conference_02OCT2023.mp3]Full video file (51 min): download [https://who.canto.global/b/M1E72]News package (5mins 36sec): download [https://who.canto.global/b/HB489]
Source: WHO
Filmed at WHO HQ, Geneva, Switzerland and remote locations – 02OCT2023
Shows: (please check against delivery)
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General
Almost exactly two years ago, WHO recommended the broad use of the world’s first malaria vaccine, called RTS,S. Today, it gives me great pleasure to announce that WHO is recommending a second vaccine, called R21/Matrix-M, to prevent malaria in children at risk of the disease. This recommendation is based on advice from two expert groups: the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization, and the Malaria Policy Advisory Group, or MPAG.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General
The trials showed the vaccine to be safe, and safety monitoring will continue as the vaccine is rolled out. At a cost of between 2 and 4 US dollars a dose, it is comparable with other recommended malaria interventions and other childhood vaccines. As a malaria researcher, I used to dream of the day when we would have a safe and effective vaccine against malaria. Now, we have two.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General
Nearly half the world’s population remains at risk of malaria. In 2021, there were an estimated 247 million cases of malaria, and 619,000 deaths. 95% of cases and deaths are in Africa, and most deaths are in children under 5. Demand for the RTS,S vaccine far exceeds supply, so the R21 vaccine is a vital additional tool to protect more children faster, and to bring us closer to our vision of a malaria-free world.
Dr Hanna Nohynek, Chief Physician at the Department of Health Security at the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Chair of SAGE
The availability of the second Malaria vaccine is expected to close the gap between supply and demand enabling broader and possibly unconstrained access. Malaria vaccines introduced widely have the potential of saving tens of thousands of young lives each year.
Pr Dyann Wirth, Chair of the Malaria Policy Advisory Group, WHO
A vaccine recruits the human immune system to fight the parasite as soon as it enters the body. A vaccinated person is poised to fight off the infection at the earliest stage. Both malaria vaccines R21 and RTSS are safe and effective and when implemented broadly are expected to have a high public health impact.
Dr Mary Hamel, Senior Technical Officer, WHO
But it will be really important not to substitute the one intervention for the other. We don’t want to roll out the vaccine and pull back on bed nets which are also life saving. Adding these interventions on top of each other is where we’re really going to get high impact
Dr Daniel Madandi, Director of the Global Malaria Programme, WHO
Each minute, a child dies of malaria. This is a huge, huge burden to the health system, to the entire population. We hope that having this new tool, added to the tool that we do have. We can’t miss this opportunity, especially countries will make sure that they apply for this vaccine. The demand will be high, so the invitation to the supplier to produce according to demand.
Dr Katherine O’Brien, Director, Immunization Vaccines and Biologicals, WHO
There are two distinct processes that will happen. The first is the policy recommendation and that’s what you are hearing about today. In other words, a review of evidence on safety, efficacy, programmatic suitability, performance of the vaccines that we review.
Dr Katherine O’Brien, Director, Immunization Vaccines and Biologicals, WHO
There is a distinct and separate review process that’s undertaken, that is a review from a regulatory perspective. And although there is similar data, that some of the data is similar data that is reviewed in both processes, there’s a slightly different lens that is taken. The regulatory process is also evaluating the safety and efficacy of the vaccine but also the quality manufacturing aspects. And it’s a distinct group of external experts who is responsible for that review. And that review has a lot of engagement with the manufacturer, particular around the steps involved in the manufacture of the vaccine.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General
R21 was not the only vaccine that SAGE reviewed at its meeting last week. It also recommended a new vaccine against dengue, called Qdenga, for children aged 6 to 16 years living in areas where dengue is a significant public health problem.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General
SAGE also recommended a new vaccine against meningitis, called Men5CV, which has been shown to protect against five species of bacteria that cause the disease. And it recommended that for most COVID vaccines, a single dose is sufficient for primary immunization, given most people have had at least one prior infection. In addition, SAGE issued advice on the use of vaccines to prevent antimicrobial resistance, as well as for polio, cholera, mumps and smallpox.
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