ArticleBMC medicine2026
Public health impact of catch-up vaccination or additional booster doses with pre-erythrocytic malaria vaccine R21/Matrix-M: a modelling study.
Article in BMC medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Abstract
backgroundThe malaria vaccine R21/Matrix-M is recommended for young children in malaria-endemic regions. However, the small vaccine-eligible population and waning vaccine efficacy mean that routine vaccination is unlikely to prevent severe cases in older children who experience significant malaria burden. As R21/Matrix-M vaccination expands, targeting older age groups may be warranted, depending on funding.
methodsUsing a stochastic, individual-based Plasmodium falciparum malaria transmission model, we estimate the impact of (1) one-off catch-up campaigns with R21/Matrix-M to previously unvaccinated age groups between age 6 months and 14 years, and/or (2) extra boosters at 2, 5, and/or 10 years after the primary series in low, moderate, and high transmission settings. We assume that vaccine immunogenicity in older children is equivalent to that of the standard target age group, though clinical trials have shown lower immunogenicity in older children.
resultsCatch-up campaigns in moderate-to-high transmission settings targeting younger children averted the most uncomplicated cases per 1000 additional doses (358 (95% credible interval (CI) 113-570) in children aged 6 months-2 years at 45% PfPR
conclusionsCatch-up campaigns or extra booster doses of R21/Matrix-M can provide benefits beyond routine administration, with the per-additional-dose value approaching that of routine vaccination, but this varies by transmission and seasonality setting. Further empirical studies, particularly on vaccine efficacy in older children, are warranted to inform policy guidance for malaria vaccination implementation.
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