Catholic Information Service for Africa (Nairobi)

Africa: Hopes Rise for First Global Malaria Vaccine

7 November 2009

It has been revealed that after 20 years of trials, scientists are on the threshold of discovering a malaria vaccine.

Researchers warn that Africa may not be ready to make use of the vaccine should it be approved as expected within five years.

RTS, S of GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals is the first malaria vaccine candidate to demonstrate efficacy during early development to warrant phase-III testing.

It is the leading vaccine candidate in the global effort by the PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative (MVI) to develop a malaria vaccine. The vaccine is presently negotiating what will be the final hurdle before release as it enters Phase III trials in seven African countries.

RTS,S was specifically developed for use in Africa but Prof Wilfred Mbacham, a public health biotechnologist from the University of Yaoundé in Cameroon, says a failure by African governments to prepare adequately may rob millions of people access to the vaccine.

"As we pursue a breakthrough in the development of the vaccine, we need to begin speaking to African governments telling them how they should prepare to receive the vaccine. They need to prepare policy which will facilitate the inclusion of this vaccine into the Expanded Programme on Immunisation," Mbacham says.

Regulatory systems in African countries which would be responsible for approving use of the vaccine are weak. Governments will also need to think how they will pay to inoculate populations, and master the details of where, how often, and in which groups of people malaria occurs in each country.

"African States will have to begin thinking about financing and how they will access the vaccine. While it is a possibility the Global Health Fund will provide money for this, governments need to explore other innovative financing methods," Mbacham adds.

The RTS,S vaccine is intended primarily for infants; children under the age of five are the most vulnerable to malaria. After almost two decades of research and 10 years of trials, it is the first to reach Phase III, the final phase of testing.

"Phase II studies showed that RTSS reduced clinical episodes of malaria by 53 percent over an eight-month follow-up period. And findings from the Phase II trial in southern Mozambique on children showed RTSS was efficacious for at least 18 months in reducing clinical malaria by 35 percent and severe malaria by 49 percent.

"The vaccine has also shown a promising safety and tolerability profile when used alongside other WHO standard infant vaccines," says Dr Joe Cohen a co-inventor of RTSS.

The Phase III trial will evaluate the vaccine's efficacy in two groups of children, one cohort aged six to 12 weeks and the other aged five to 17 months.

Sixteen thousand children will take part in the trials; five thousand have already been recruited. The trials are being conducted in seven African countries, including Kenya, Burkina Faso, Tanzania, Mozambique, Ghana, Malawi and Gabon.

Health experts warn the news of the impending approval of the vaccine does not mean people can discard the current malaria prevention measures including use of insecticide treated mosquito nets (ITNs) and indoor residual spraying.

"These technologies have worked so far and communities need to continue using them. Should the vaccine be approved, these measures will continue to be used. Indeed, research is ongoing on strengthening the insecticides and making the ITNs longer lasting," says Michael MacDonald from the malaria programme of the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Tagged: Africa, Health, Malaria, Science

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Comments 1 to 3 of 3 Post a comment

  • foryohjonathan0000
    Nov 9 2009, 08:31
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    If proving to be true, Congrat Africa !!!! Keep charging on for the betterness of your people in all aspects in the continent .

  • upliftdarace_144
    Nov 9 2009, 08:15
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    FIGHTING AGAINST MALARIA NATURALLY

    - According to Ghanaian Naturopaths such as Dr. Kofi B. Asare & Nana Amena Here’s how we should treat Malaria & Why :

    1) Drink Lots Of Water

    2) Eat Lots Of Natural Laxatives aka Fruits

    WHY ? – To Flush the toxicity out of your system that has clogged itself up

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    SOME MALARIA-RELATED INFORMATION

    1) Insect repellent DEET is toxic to brain cells [http://www.naturalnews.com/026982_DEET_insect_repellent_insect_repellents. html ]

    2) What has the rich Computer Man Bill Gates III Done With Those Mosquitoes He Released On A Crowd (Allegedly To Vaccinate Them ?

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    - In Jesus Name We Pray – Amen

    Pray twice per day once around sunset & once around sunrise .

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    PRAYERS WILL HELP US TO SEE THROUGH JESUS’ EYES. REMEMBER , HE’S

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    TOP-PRIORITY Persons, Causes & Oragnizations

    (WEEKLY PRAYER LIST ) -

    MID-LEVEL Persons, Causes & Oragnizations

    (MONTHLY PRAYER LIST ) -

    - Persons, Causes & Oragnizations ( For Example – Heads Of Countries)

    (YEARLY PRAYER LIST ) -

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  • upliftdarace_144
    Nov 9 2009, 08:16
    Report Abuse

    Daniel 11: 34 Now when the Saints shall fall, they shall be given a little help: but many shall cleave to them with FLATTERIES.

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    7) AVOID PETTY LAWS AND USELESS OFFICIALS

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    [ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6dffXhewVE ]

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    - [ http://uniteforlife.org/ ]

    Journalist Files Charges against WHO and UN for Bioterrorism and Intent to Commit Mass Murder [ http://www.naturalnews.com/026503_pandemic_swine_flu_bioterrorism.html ]

    Bob Coen & Eric Nadler (Via-Webcam) on Alex Jones Tv 1/4:Anthrax-War ( Souih Africa & Dr. Death Mentioned In Another Segment..Not This One ) URL – [ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Itxr3zC9B1w ]

    MARK OF THE BEAST : PREVIEW ?

    REVELATIONS 13:18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count ( Compute) the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

    EU666 Biodefense Stockpile and US666 Biodefense Stockpile Are You Going to Take Your 666 Vaccine ? [http://www.infowars.com/eu666-biodefense-stockpile-and-us666-biodefense-st ockpile/] YOU TUBE VIDEO ON VACCINATIONS [ Revelations 18:23 ] URL = [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOOn_HXy5MQ] URL – [ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvIN1U_KPSk ]

    Take The Word “ V-A-C-C-I-N-A-T-I-O-N “ Letter-By-Letter • Multiply Each Letter’s Numerical Value By 6. • Then Add All the Totals Together What Do You Get ? • V (22nd letter times 6 = 132) – A (1st letter times 6 = 6) – C (3rd letter times 6 = 18) – C (3rd letter times 6 = 18) I (9th letter times 6 = 54) – N (14th letter times 6 = 84) A (1st letter times 6 = 6) - T (20th letter times 6 = 120) I (9th letter times 6 = 54) – O (15th letter times 6 = 90) N (14th letter times 6 = 84)

    REVELATIONS 13:18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count ( Compute) the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

    The Swine Flu Vaccination Hoax - Explained URL – [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbFxV_C8Yw4 ]

    WAKE UP !!! STAY UP !!!

    [ www.libradio.net]

    [gcnlive.com]

    Life Is A Game. Have Fun . Luke 18:17 - Isaiah 11:6