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NISH (NITAG Support Hub) 3: Malaria vaccines: R21/Matrix-M vaccine literature in Africa

This Library Guide is a collection of useful documents & evidence on the efficacy, effectiveness and impact of the RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine to support NITAG members and other policy makers throughout Africa with making evidence-based recommendations.

R21/Matrix M vaccine

Leke, Rose. 2023. Malaria: two groundbreaking vaccines have been developed, but access and rollout are still big stumbling blocks. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/malaria-two-groundbreaking-vaccines-have-been-developed-but-access-and-rollout-are-still-big-stumbling-blocks-217146?

Dabira, D., 2023. Towards malaria elimination: innovative tools and interventions to accelerate interruption of malaria transmission in The Gambia (Doctoral dissertation, University of Antwerp). https://repository.uantwerpen.be/desktop/irua

Published documents

Adeyi, O., Yadav, P., Panjabi, R., & Mbacham, W. (2024). The R21 malaria vaccine: Spotlight on policy goals and pathways to African vaccine manufacturing. PLOS Global Public Health, 4(7), e0003412.

Aderinto, N., Olatunji, G., Kokori, E., Sikirullahi, S., Aboje, J. E., & Ojabo, R. E. (2024). A perspective on Oxford’s R21/Matrix-M™ malaria vaccine and the future of global eradication efforts. Malaria Journal, 23(1), 16.https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s12936-024-04846-w.pdf

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Adeleke, O. T., Oboh, M. A., Adeleke, O. V., Awotunde, T. A., Ajala, D. E., Samson, T. K., & Adegoke, A. O. (2025). Nurses’ knowledge and willingness to recommend malaria vaccination to caregivers of under-5 in Nigeria: A nationwide survey. Malaria Journal, 24(1), 142. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-025-05383-w

Ali, M. S., Stockdale, L., Sagara, I., Zongo, I., Yerbanga, R. S., Mahamar, A., Nikièma, F., Tapily, A., Sompougdou, F., Diarra, M., Bellamy, D., Provstgaard-Morys, S., Zoungrana, C., Issiaka, D., Haro, A., Sanogo, K., Sienou, A. A., Kaya, M., Traore, S., … Greenwood, B. (2025). The anti-circumsporozoite antibody response to repeated, seasonal booster doses of the malaria vaccine RTS,S/AS01(E). NPJ Vaccines, 10(1), 26. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41541-025-01078-0

Berry, A. A., Richie, T. L., Church, L. W. P., Laurens, M. B., Boyce, C., Kc, N., Joshi, S., Koudjra, A. R., Butler, L., Chen, M.-C., Abebe, Y., Murshedkar, T., James, E. R., Billingsley, P. F., Sim, B. K. L., Hoffman, S. L., & Lyke, K. E. (2025). Safety, tolerability and immunogenicity of a condensed, multi-dose prime regimen of PfSPZ Vaccine for the prevention of Plasmodium falciparum malaria infection. Malaria Journal, 24(1), 88. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-025-05299-5

Diawara, H., Grant, J., Dicko, A., Traore, S., Issiaka, D., Koita, F., Datoo, M., Sylla, M., Dicko, A. B., Sagara, I., Chandramohan, D., Hill, A. V., Greenwood, B., & Webster, J. (2025). Acceptability of the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine alongside existing malaria interventions in the trial context. BMJ Global Health, 10(2). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2024-015524

Kisambale, A. J., Pereus, D., Mandai, S. S., Lyimo, B. M., Bakari, C., Chacha, G. A., Mbwambo, R. B., Moshi, R., Petro, D. A., Challe, D. P., Seth, M. D., Madebe, R. A., Budodo, R., Aaron, S., Mbwambo, D., Lusasi, A., Kajange, S., Lazaro, S., Kapologwe, N., … Ishengoma, D. S. (2025). Genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum reticulocyte binding protein homologue-5, which is a potential malaria vaccine candidate: Baseline data from  areas of varying malaria endemicity in Mainland Tanzania. Malaria Journal, 24(1), 29. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-025-05269-x

Amimo, F. (2024). Leveraging malaria vaccines and mRNA technology to tackle the global inequity in pharmaceutical research and production towards disease elimination. Malaria Journal, 23(1), 136. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-024-04972-5

Datoo, M. S., Dicko, A., Tinto, H., Ouédraogo, J.-B., Hamaluba, M., Olotu, A., Beaumont, E., Ramos Lopez, F., Natama, H. M., Weston, S., Chemba, M., Compaore, Y. D., Issiaka, D., Salou, D., Some, A. M., Omenda, S., Lawrie, A., Bejon, P., Rao, H., … Hill, A. V. S. (2024). Safety and efficacy of malaria vaccine candidate R21/Matrix-M in African children: A multicentre, double-blind, randomised, phase 3 trial. Lancet (London, England), 403(10426), 533–544. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(23)02511-4

Datoo, M. S., Natama, H. M., Somé, A., Bellamy, D., Traoré, O., Rouamba, T., Tahita, M. C., Ido, N. F. A., Yameogo, P., Valia, D., Millogo, A., Ouedraogo, F., Soma, R., Sawadogo, S., Sorgho, F., Derra, K., Rouamba, E., Ramos-Lopez, F., Cairns, M., … Tinto, H. (2022). Efficacy and immunogenicity of R21/Matrix-M vaccine against clinical malaria after 2 years’ follow-up in children in Burkina Faso: A phase 1/2b randomised  controlled trial. The Lancet. Infectious Diseases, 22(12), 1728–1736. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(22)00442-X

Datoo, M. S., Natama, M. H., Somé, A., Traoré, O., Rouamba, T., Bellamy, D., Yameogo, P., Valia, D., Tegneri, M., Ouedraogo, F., Soma, R., Sawadogo, S., Sorgho, F., Derra, K., Rouamba, E., Orindi, B., Ramos Lopez, F., Flaxman, A., Cappuccini, F., … Tinto, H. (2021). Efficacy of a low-dose candidate malaria vaccine, R21 in adjuvant Matrix-M, with seasonal administration to children in Burkina Faso: A randomised controlled  trial. Lancet (London, England), 397(10287), 1809–1818. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(21)00943-0

Dzi, K. T. J. (2023). Issues related to the approval of the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine for use in Nigeria and Ghana. Frontiers in Public Health, 11, 1237011. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1237011

Friedman-Klabanoff, D. J., Adu-Gyasi, D., & Asante, K. P. (2024). Malaria prevention in children: An update. Current Opinion in Pediatrics, 36(2), 164–170. https://doi.org/10.1097/MOP.0000000000001332

Ghazy, R. M., Kyei-Arthur, F., Saleeb, M., Kyei-Gyamfi, S., Abutima, T., Sakada, I. G., Alshaikh, A., Hussein, M., & Hussein, M. F. (2024). Examining Vaccine Hesitancy Among Ghanaian Parents for the R21/Matrix-M Malaria Vaccine. Journal of Pediatric Health Care : Official Publication of National Association of Pediatric Nurse Associates & Practitioners, 38(6), 873–885. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedhc.2024.05.010

Hussein, M. F., Kyei-Arthur, F., Saleeb, M., Kyei-Gyamfi, S., Abutima, T., Sakada, I. G., & Ghazy, R. M. (2024). Hesitancy towards R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine among Ghanaian parents and attitudes towards immunizing non-eligible children: A cross-sectional survey. Malaria Journal, 23(1), 142. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-024-04921-2

Klionsky, D. J., Abdel-Aziz, A. K., Abdelfatah, S., Abdellatif, M., Abdoli, A., Abel, S., Abeliovich, H., Abildgaard, M. H., Abudu, Y. P., Acevedo-Arozena, A., Adamopoulos, I. E., Adeli, K., Adolph, T. E., Adornetto, A., Aflaki, E., Agam, G., Agarwal, A., Aggarwal, B. B., Agnello, M., … Tong, C.-K. (2021). Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (4th edition)(1). Autophagy, 17(1), 1–382. https://doi.org/10.1080/15548627.2020.1797280

Lambach, P., Silal, S., Sbarra, A. N., Koh, M., Aggarwal, R., Farooqui, H. H., Flasche, S., Hogan, A. B., Kim, S.-Y., Leung, K., Moss, W. J., Munywoki, P. K., Portnoy, A., Sheel, M., & Wang, X.-Y. (2024). Report from the World Health Organization’s immunization and vaccines-related implementation research advisory committee (IVIR-AC) meeting, virtual gathering,  26 February-1 March 2024. Vaccine, 42(15), 3379–3383. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.04.057

Lawal, L., Buhari, A. O., Jaji, T. A., Alatare, A. S., Adeyemo, A. O., Olumoh, A. O., Yusuff, Y. A., Osborn, G., Mogaji, A. B., Adoto, B. H., Ibrahim, N. G., Saliu, W. O., & Abdul-Rahman, T. (2024). Lingering challenges in malaria elimination efforts in sub-Saharan Africa: Insights and potential solutions. Health Science Reports, 7(6), e2122. https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.2122

 

R21/Matrix M vaccine - continued

Li, J., Docile, H. J., Fisher, D., Pronyuk, K., & Zhao, L. (2024). Current Status of Malaria Control and Elimination in Africa: Epidemiology, Diagnosis, Treatment, Progress and Challenges. Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health, 14(3), 561–579. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44197-024-00228-2

Lyimo, B. M., Bakari, C., Popkin-Hall, Z. R., Giesbrecht, D. J., Seth, M. D., Pereus, D., Moshi, R., Boniface, R., Mandara, C. I., Madebe, R., Juliano, J. J., Bailey, J. A., & Ishengoma, D. S. (2024). Genetic polymorphism and evidence of signatures of selection in the Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein gene in Tanzanian regions with different  malaria endemicity. In medRxiv: The preprint server for health sciences (p. 2024.01.23.24301587). https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.01.23.24301587

Mandefro, A., Kebede, A. M., Katsvanga, M., Cham, F., Oriero, E., Amambua-Ngwa, A., & Golassa, L. (2025). Unveiling mismatch of RTS S AS01 and R21 Matrix M malaria vaccines haplotype among Ethiopian Plasmodium falciparum clinical isolates. Scientific Reports, 15(1), 14985. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-00140-0

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Natama, H. M., Salkeld, J., Somé, A., Soremekun, S., Diallo, S., Traoré, O., Rouamba, T., Ouédraogo, F., Ouédraogo, E., Daboné, K. C. S., Koné, N. A., Compaoré, Z. M. J., Kafando, M., Bonko, M. D. A., Konaté, F., Sorgho, H., Nielsen, C. M., Pipini, D., Diouf, A., … Minassian, A. M. (2025). Safety and efficacy of the blood-stage malaria vaccine RH5.1/Matrix-M in Burkina Faso: Interim results of a double-blind, randomised, controlled, phase 2b trial  in children. The Lancet. Infectious Diseases, 25(5), 495–506. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(24)00752-7

Sallam, M., Al-Khatib, A. O., Al-Mahzoum, K. S., Abdelaziz, D. H., & Sallam, M. (2025). Current Developments in Malaria Vaccination: A Concise Review on Implementation, Challenges, and Future Directions. Clinical Pharmacology : Advances and Applications, 17, 29–47. https://doi.org/10.2147/CPAA.S513282

Sibomana, O., Bukuru, J., Saka, S. A., Uwizeyimana, M. G., Kihunyu, A. M., Obianke, A., Damilare, S. O., Bueh, L. T., Agbelemoge, B. O. G., & Oveh, R. O. (2025). Routine malaria vaccination in Africa: A step toward malaria eradication? Malaria Journal, 24(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-024-05235-z

Venkatraman, N., Tiono, A. B., Bowyer, G., Bellamy, D. G., Stockdale, L. K., Powlson, J., Collins, K. A., Coulibaly, S., Datoo, M. S., Silman, D., Ouedraogo, A., Nébié, I., Imoukhuede, E. B., Brod, F., Folegatti, P., Dickinson-Craig, E., Jamieson, S., Bougouma, E. C., Wright, D., … Hill, A. V. S. (2025). Evaluation of a novel malaria anti-sporozoite vaccine candidate, R21 in Matrix-M adjuvant, in the UK and Burkina Faso: Two phase 1, first-in-human trials. The Lancet. Microbe, 6(3), 100868. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2666-5247(24)00084-3

Nnaji, C. A., Amaechi, U. A., & Wiysonge, C. S. (2024). R21/Matrix-M vaccine: Optimising supply, maximising impact. Lancet (London, England), 403(10426), 525. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(23)02716-2

Ngou, O., Nzoumbou-Boko, R., Bakamba, P., & Boum, Y. (2024). R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine: a vital tool in the arsenal against malaria, not a silver bullet. The Lancet Infectious Diseases, 24(5), 438-439.https://www.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/laninf/PIIS1473-3099(24)00010-0.pdf

Oduoye, M. O., Haider, M. U., Marsool, M. D. M., Kareem, M. O., Adedayo, A. E., Abdulkarim, A. S., Adegoke, A. A., Kaushik, I., Irfan, H., Yusuf, H. A., Shah, H. H., & Karim, K. A. (2024). Unlocking the potential of novel RTS, S/AS01, and R21/Matrix-MTM malaria vaccines in African nations. Health Science Reports, 7(1), e1797. https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.1797

Osoro, C. B., Ochodo, E., Kwambai, T. K., Otieno, J. A., Were, L., Sagam, C. K., Owino, E. J., Kariuki, S., Ter Kuile, F. O., & Hill, J. (2024). Policy uptake and implementation of the RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine in sub-Saharan African countries: Status 2 years following the WHO recommendation. BMJ Global Health, 9(4). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2023-014719

Qulu, W., Mtshali, A., Osman, F., Ndlela, N., Ntuli, L., Mzobe, G., Naicker, N., Garrett, N., Rompalo, A., Mindel, A., Ngcapu, S., & Liebenberg, L. (2023). High-risk human papillomavirus prevalence among South African women diagnosed with other STIs and BV. PloS One, 18(11), e0294698. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0294698

Sang, S., Datoo, M. S., Otieno, E., Muiruri, C., Bellamy, D., Gathuri, E., ... & Hamaluba, M. (2023). Safety and immunogenicity of varied doses of R21/Matrix-M™ vaccine at three years follow-up: A phase 1b age de-escalation, dose-escalation trial in adults, children, and infants in Kilifi-Kenya. Wellcome open research, 8, 450.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11134133/pdf/wellcomeopenres-8-21926.pdf

Schmit, N., Topazian, H. M., Natama, H. M., Bellamy, D., Traoré, O., Somé, M. A., Rouamba, T., Tahita, M. C., Bonko, M. D. A., Sourabié, A., Sorgho, H., Stockdale, L., Provstgaard-Morys, S., Aboagye, J., Woods, D., Rapi, K., Datoo, M. S., Lopez, F. R., Charles, G. D., … Winskill, P. (2024). The public health impact and cost-effectiveness of the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine: A mathematical modelling study. The Lancet. Infectious Diseases, 24(5), 465–475. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(23)00816-2

Takashima, E., Otsuki, H., Morita, M., Ito, D., Nagaoka, H., Yuguchi, T., Hassan, I., & Tsuboi, T. (2024). The Need for Novel Asexual Blood-Stage Malaria Vaccine Candidates for Plasmodium falciparum. Biomolecules, 14(1). https://doi.org/10.3390/biom14010100

Verma, A., Anand, A., Patel, V. A., Nazar, M. W., Mukherjee, A., Karim, K. A., ... & Rustagi, S. (2024). Breaking the malaria barrier: the WHO-approved R21/Matrix-M vaccine and its global impact–an editorial. Annals of Medicine and Surgery, 86(4), 1824-1827. https://journals.lww.com/annals-of-medicine-and-surgery/fulltext/2024/04000/breaking_the_malaria_barrier__the_who_approved.1.aspx