Second Public Consultation Deadline: 4 December 2012
Please download the file "roadmap update for second public consultation" from a link on the right. The wording for this draft was formulated following review of the comments received during the first public consultation in September 2012. Any comments on the draft wording should be added to the comment form, also available from a link on the right. Completed comment forms should be sent as attachments to vaccineresearch@who.int with cc to moorthyv@who.int by 4 December 2012 with the subject line “Comment on Draft Roadmap Update”. All comments must be attributed either to an individual or organization.
Malaria Vaccine Technology Roadmap: Update of Vision and Strategic Goal Underway
The Malaria Vaccine Technology Roadmap was launched in 2006 at the WHO Global Vaccine Research Forum and established a shared Vision, Strategic Goal (2025) and Landmark (2015) for development of malaria vaccines. The Roadmap also identified 11 Priority Areas in four categories: research, vaccine development, key capacities, policy and commercialization.
At a WHO Scientific Forum held in Geneva on 23-24 February 2012, a consensus was reached on the need to update the Roadmap Vision and 2025 Strategic Goal in response to a number of changes since 2006, including changes in the strategic role of malaria vaccines and changes in malaria epidemiology and control status. At their February 2012 meeting, the WHO Malaria Vaccine Advisory Committee (MALVAC) recommended that WHO lead this updating process. The Malaria Vaccine Funders group also supported the need for this update, coordinated by WHO.
Scope and Process of Update and Approximate Timing
Through a WHO consultative process, the focus will be on updating the Roadmap Vision and Strategic Goal(s), culminating in review and endorsement by an appropriate WHO mechanism. Based on discussions at the February 2012 WHO Scientific Forum and WHO MALVAC, the update will likely broaden the Roadmap Vision and Strategic Goal(s) to include: a larger geographic scope; older age groups; species beyond P. falciparum; and the need for the vaccine to reduce or prevent transmission in addition to morbidity and mortality. It is important to note that both the 2015 Landmark and the11 Priority Areas remain unchanged and both are out of the scope of this update process.
To maintain the relevance of the Roadmap Vision and Strategic Goal(s) as the epidemiological and malaria control status changes over time and to establish new landmarks as promising malaria vaccine candidates advance in development, the update will also include a description of a process for future Roadmap updates.
It is anticipated that the updating process will conclude during the second quarter of 2013, culminating in the launch of an updated Roadmap.