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Innovative child malaria vaccine to be tested in Malawi Innovative child malaria vaccine to be tested in Malawi
(about 1 hour later)
A large-scale trial of what has been called the world's first malaria vaccine to give partial protection to children is due to start in Malawi. A large-scale pilot of what has been called the world's first malaria vaccine to give partial protection to children has begun in Malawi.
The RTS,S vaccine trains the immune system to attack the malaria parasite, which is spread by mosquito bites.The RTS,S vaccine trains the immune system to attack the malaria parasite, which is spread by mosquito bites.
Earlier, smaller trials showed that nearly 40% of the 5-to-17-month-olds who received it were protected.Earlier, smaller trials showed that nearly 40% of the 5-to-17-month-olds who received it were protected.
Malaria cases appear to be on the rise again after a decade of success in combating the deadly disease.Malaria cases appear to be on the rise again after a decade of success in combating the deadly disease.
According to the most recent annual figures, global malaria cases are no longer falling, sparking concerns about its resurgence.According to the most recent annual figures, global malaria cases are no longer falling, sparking concerns about its resurgence.
More than 90% of both those who were infected and the 435,000 who died were in Africa. Children are particularly vulnerable. Malawi is the first of three countries chosen for the pilot to roll out the vaccine. It aims to immunise 120,000 children aged two years and below. The other two countries, Ghana and Kenya, will introduce the vaccine in the coming weeks.
Malawi, which recorded nearly five million confirmed cases in 2017, has been chosen, along with Kenya and Ghana, to be used in the large-scale pilot of the RTS,S vaccine. How big a problem is malaria?
Three-decade development Malaria kills some 435,000 people around the world each year, the majority of them children. Most of these deaths are in Africa, where more than 250,000 children die every year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
The countries were picked because they already run large programmes to tackle malaria, including the use of bed nets, yet still have high numbers of cases. An early trial of the vaccine began in 2009.
The vaccine has been more than three decades in the making, with scientists from drugs company GSK creating it in 1987. "There were seven countries participating in a large trial where over 15,000 children participated," Dr David Schellenberg told the BBC's Newsday programme.
Years of testing supported by a host of organisations, including the Path Malaria Vaccine Initiative, and costing an estimated $1bn (£770m) have led to this point. "[The trial] showed pretty clearly that this vaccine is safe and it is efficacious in terms of its ability to prevent clinical malaria episodes and also severe malaria episodes," he said.
This latest phase is being co-ordinated by the World Health Organization (WHO), which says the vaccine is the first to provide some protection to children. What difference will the vaccine make?
The nearly 40% efficacy is not high in comparison with vaccines for other diseases, but the WHO says RTS,S will add to the preventative measures, such as bed nets and insecticides, already being used, AFP news agency reports. The three countries were picked because they already run large programmes to tackle malaria, including the use of bed nets, yet still have high numbers of cases.
"A vaccine that is highly efficacious, 90% or so, that's not in view at this point," the WHO's Mary Hamel is quoted by Bloomberg as saying. "But this vaccine getting to where it is shows that a malaria vaccine can be made. It will be a pathfinder." RTS,S has been more than three decades in the making, with scientists from drugs company GSK creating it in 1987.
Years of testing supported by a host of organisations, including the Path Malaria Vaccine Initiative, and costing an estimated $1bn (£770m), have led to this point.
The nearly 40% efficacy is not high in comparison with vaccines for other diseases, but Dr Schellenberg says RTS,S will add to the preventative measures, such as bed nets and insecticides, already being used.
"Nobody is suggesting that this is a magic bullet," Dr Schellenberg said.
"It may not sound like much but we're talking about 40% reduction in severe malaria which unfortunately still has high mortality even when you have good access to good treatment," he added.
The vaccine needs to be given four times - once a month for three months and then a fourth dose 18 months later.The vaccine needs to be given four times - once a month for three months and then a fourth dose 18 months later.
Dr Schellenberg accepted that it might be a challenge for mothers in some areas to take their children to clinics for all four doses.
This stage of the trial is expected to be completed by 2023, according to Path.This stage of the trial is expected to be completed by 2023, according to Path.
The pilot begins in Malawi and will start in Kenya and Ghana in the coming weeks.