Africa trial for malaria vaccine

Developed through two decades of research, the Mosquirix vaccine – also known as RDS,S – is being tested in Africa‘s biggest ever clinical trial, spanning seven nations, and involving some 16,000 children.

More than 5,000 children have already undergone preliminary trials since testing began in 2003. Mosquirix it is the first malaria shot to make it to final-stage trials, and has generated huge interest ahead of a conference of 1,500 malaria experts to be held in Nairobi next week.

According to the World Health Organization malaria kills about one million people each year, mostly children in Africa under the age of five, while around 40 per cent of the world’s Population mainly in the poorest countries are at risk of the disease.

The vaccine is the result of a partnership between GlaxoSmithKline, the British drug manufacturer, and US-based Path Malaria Vaccine Initiative, an anti-malaria charity funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, along with clinics and research centers in Africa.

Source: News Africa