Malaria continues to be the leading cause of children’s deaths in Sub-Saharan Africa, killing more than 260,000 children per year. After 30 years of research, the World Health Organization (WHO) is recommending a general distribution of the first malaria vaccine.
DR. TEDROS ADHANOM GHEBREYESUS
Director-General, WHO
“This long awaited malaria vaccine is a breakthrough for science, child health and malaria control.”
The recommendation is based on ongoing experimental research in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi that began in 2019. It shows that the vaccine has prevented four out of 10 malaria cases.
DR. TEDROS ADHANOM GHEBREYESUS
Director-General, WHO
“Malaria has been with us for millennia, and the dream of a malaria vaccine has been a long held but unattainable dream.”
Mosquito nets and fumigation have been the most effective methods in the past. This vaccine, which is also the first one against parasitic diseases, is a great step in improving public health in countries like Nigeria, Tanzania and Burkina Faso.
DR. TEDROS ADHANOM GHEBREYESUS
Director-General, WHO
“Today, the RTS,S malaria vaccine, more than 30 years in the making, changes the course of public health history.”
The vaccine will be administered in four doses to 5-month-old babies, and will be effective against the deadliest parasite, especially common in Africa.
According to the organization, there were 229 million cases in 2019, of which 409,000 were fatal. This means that from the year 2000 the death toll surpassed 7.5 million.
DR. MATSHIDISO MOETI
Regional Director for Africa, WHO
“We expect to see greater impacts on the malaria burden in Africa in the very near future.”
This new vaccine brings a new hope in the fight against malaria and many other deadly diseases.
BGA
TR: SS
