What Happened: Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance has committed $160 million to roll out the world's first malaria vaccine in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi after completing successful pilots in each of the three countries, Voice of America reported July 21.

Why It Matters: Given that malaria kills nearly 400,000 people (mostly small children and pregnant women) in sub-Saharan Africa every year, the introduction of the Mosquirix vaccine fills a huge gap in continental health care. However, several challenges — including long-term funding, distribution and storage of the vaccine, as well as only a 30% efficacy rate — mean that the vaccine likely will not significantly reduce infection rates, although it could reduce the severity of cases.

Background: The Mosquirix vaccine was introduced in 2019 and, despite being only 30% effective at preventing infection and requiring a series of four doses, has reduced child hospitalizations for severe malaria cases by 30% and child deaths by 9%. A second round of funding is scheduled for the end of the year, after which other countries with moderate to high rates of severe malaria can submit applications to receive the vaccine.