Malaria vaccine pilot program rolled out in Africa

The WHO Regional Director for Africa Dr Matshidiso Moeti announced on World Malaria Day that three countries; Malawi, Ghana and Kenya have been selected for the malaria vaccine roll-out pilot program. Working in close collaboration with each respective countries ministry of health, the malaria vaccine called RTS,S will form part of a comprehensive malaria prevention program by supplementary existing measure including the use of insecticide-treated nets and vector control.

After 30 years of research RTD, S is the first malaria vaccine to successfully complete phase three clinical trials and provides partial protection for young children against Plasmodium falciparum, the malaria parasite. RTS, S is not the only malaria vaccine as there are over 20 candidate vaccines in various stages of development.

RTS, S vaccine pilot program is designed to generate evidence, experience and information that is required by the WHO and policy makers to develop a recommendation on the broader use of RTS, S to achieve the common vision of an Africa free of Malaria.

Page created on 6 May 2019

The information in this article was obtained from the following websites:
https://www.afro.who.int/news/historic-launch-malaria-vaccine-pilots-africa

https://www.who.int/immunization/research/development/malaria/en/

https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/23-04-2019-malaria-vaccine-pilot-launched-in-malawi