VOA新闻杂志2022--世卫组织称将在非洲大陆开展大规模疟疾疫苗接种

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WHO to Release First Malaria¹ Vaccine² in Africa

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced the next step in its release of the world's first approved malaria vaccine. The release is expected to take place in three African countries: Ghana, Kenya and Malawi.

But the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, a vaccine supporter, has said it has concerns.

WHO said last fall the vaccine was a "historic" development in efforts to control malaria. But the Gates Foundation told The Associated Press this week that it will no longer financially support the vaccine.

Some scientists warn the decision could leave millions of African children at risk. It could also weaken future efforts to solve difficult problems in public health.

The vaccine is called Mosquirix and is sold by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). It is about 30 percent effective and requires four doses.

The malaria vaccine has "a much lower efficacy than we would like," said Philip Welkhoff. He is the Gates Foundation's director of malaria programs. The foundation is ending its support after spending more than $200 million and working more than 20 years to get the vaccine. Welkhoff also said the vaccine is too costly³ and difficult to provide.

Welkhoff said the foundation's money would be better spent on other malaria vaccines⁴ and treatments. Some of the resources that might have gone into providing the vaccine to countries have been redirected to buy new mosquito nets.

Alister Craig is with the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. "It's not the greatest vaccine in the world, but there are ways of using it that could have a big impact," he said.

The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic hurt efforts to stop malaria. Malaria killed more than 620,000 people in 2020 and caused 241 million cases, mainly in children under five in Africa, Craig said.

"There could be another vaccine approved in about five years, but that's a lot of lives lost if we wait until then," Craig said.

There is another vaccine currently being developed by Oxford⁵ University. BioNTech, creator of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, also plans to use the messenger RNA technology it used for the coronavirus for a malaria shot. But that project has just begun.

Another big problem is production. GSK said it can only produce about 15 million injections per year until 2028. WHO estimates that to protect the 25 million children born in Africa every year, at least 100 million doses every year might be needed.

"All the money in the world" would not help the vaccine's short-term supply problems, said Welkhoff. He noted⁶ that the Gates Foundation continues to support the Gavi vaccine alliance. Gavi said it is spending nearly $156 million to make the vaccine available in the three African countries.

The vaccine, even with its problems, is still greatly desired in Malawi.

Nolia Zidana said she hopes to get her two young sons the shot after seeing malaria sicken them several times — and surviving it herself.

"Growing up with my parents and siblings⁷, we have been sick from malaria all the time," she said.

Dr. Michael Kayange is with Malawi's Ministry⁸ of Health. He urged everyone in the country to take whatever measures they can to stop malaria. Immunization itself is unable to stop the disease and people should take many measures, he said.

"Even just by sleeping under a mosquito net, you have played your role in reducing the malaria burden in the country," he said.

Words in This Story

efficacy — n. the power to produce a desired result or effect

impact –n. a notable result or effect

1 malaria   

n.疟疾

参考例句：

• He had frequent attacks of malaria.他常患疟疾。
• Malaria is a kind of serious malady.疟疾是一种严重的疾病。

2 vaccine   

n.牛痘苗，疫苗；adj.牛痘的，疫苗的

参考例句：

• The polio vaccine has saved millions of lives.脊髓灰质炎疫苗挽救了数以百万计的生命。
• She takes a vaccine against influenza every fall.她每年秋季接种流感疫苗。

3 costly   

adj.昂贵的，价值高的，豪华的

参考例句：

• It must be very costly to keep up a house like this.维修这么一幢房子一定很昂贵。
• This dictionary is very useful,only it is a bit costly.这本词典很有用，左不过贵了些。

4 vaccines   

疫苗，痘苗( vaccine的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• His team are at the forefront of scientific research into vaccines. 他的小组处于疫苗科研的最前沿。
• The vaccines were kept cool in refrigerators. 疫苗放在冰箱中冷藏。

5 Oxford   

n.牛津（英国城市）

参考例句：

• At present he has become a Professor of Chemistry at Oxford.他现在已是牛津大学的化学教授了。
• This is where the road to Oxford joins the road to London.这是去牛津的路与去伦敦的路的汇合处。

6 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

7 siblings   

n.兄弟，姐妹( sibling的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• A triplet sleeps amongst its two siblings. 一个三胞胎睡在其两个同胞之间。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• She has no way of tracking the donor or her half-siblings down. 她没办法找到那个捐精者或她的兄弟姐妹。 来自时文部分

8 ministry   

n.(政府的)部；牧师

参考例句：

• They sent a deputation to the ministry to complain.他们派了一个代表团到部里投诉。
• We probed the Air Ministry statements.我们调查了空军部的记录。