The malaria vaccine is expected to form part of a complementary treatment approach to malaria. If successful, it alone cannot lead to the eradication of the disease. The causes of malaria are rooted in political, social and economic conditions of developing countries. The inadequacy of public sanitation, drainage, and hygiene means that mosquitoes will continue to breed and thrive in the affected countries. The political will to improve social conditions is often lacking in these countries. Most sub-Saharan countries are significantly underperforming on their sustainable development goals (SDG), especially in the area of health.
It is well known that the attention paid to public health improvement in sub-Saharan Africa is far from commendable. Were it not for charitable organisations like the Gates Foundation health immunisation and public sanitation would not be receiving adequate consideration or resources. The development of a malaria vaccine is a significant step in combating the disease. However, if it is not made universally accessible to those living in the poorest and most dire circumstances then its benefits will be limited.
The successful development of a malaria vaccine will immensely benefit people traveling to affected countries from more developed countries. However, unless steps are taken to ensure that the vaccine is universally affordable and accessible to the poorest in the affected countries then it may turn out that they end up being testing guinea pigs for a vaccine they may not be able to fully benefit from.
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