Real-World Implementation of RTS,S/AS01E Malaria Vaccine Reduces Severe Malaria by 58%: Evidence from the EPI-MAL-003 Phase 4 Study

Highlights

Interim results from the phase 4 EPI-MAL-003 study provide robust evidence of the real-world effectiveness of the RTS,S/AS01E vaccine. Key findings include:

• A 58% reduction in the incidence of severe malaria among vaccinated children compared to unvaccinated cohorts.
• A 36% reduction in malaria-related hospitalizations and a 21% decrease in all-cause hospitalizations, indicating a significant reduction in health system burden.
• A 19% reduction in the odds of anemia among hospitalized children, highlighting the vaccine’s impact on secondary morbidity.
• Consistent effectiveness across diverse epidemiological settings in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi during the first year of follow-up after the primary three-dose series.