Groundbreaking Malaria Vaccine to See Use in Ghana, Kenya, Malawi
Scientists from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and their colleagues at the Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé in Burkina Faso and the University of Bamako in Mali have published results from a phase 3 trial that involved the world's first and only malaria vaccine.
RTS,S is the first malaria vaccine shown to reduce malaria and life-threatening severe malaria in young children. Approximately 2.1 million doses of the vaccine have been provided and more than 750,000 children have received their first vaccine dose through the pilot programme where malaria risks occur year-round, said Kesete Admasu, a former minister of health for Ethiopia.
"We have seen in Covid-19 what the global health community can accomplish when it comes together to fight a killer disease. It would be a welcome turn of events to see Africa emerge from the pandemic with a new tool to take on the old foe of malaria with renewed vigour to get progress in malaria control back on track," Admasu added.
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Africa:
Innovative Use of World's First Malaria Vaccine Generates Remarkable Results
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In the midst of the tragedy and turmoil caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, it's gratifying to see work continuing in Africa to find new ways of fighting malaria, a very old disease… Read more »
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Ghana:
Profile - Dr. Kwaku Poku Asante, Director At Kintampo Health Research Centre, Ghana Health Service
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In this Q&A, Dr Kwaku Poku Asante, director of the Kintampo Health Research Centre in Ghana reflects on the potential implications of the RTS,S seasonal vaccination study… Read more »
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Africa:
New Malaria Vaccine Proves Highly Effective - and Covid Shows How Quickly It Could Be Deployed
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Coronavirus vaccines have been developed and deployed in record time, but as global rollout has progressed, too few doses have been made available in low-income countries. It's a… Read more »
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Africa:
RTS,S Malaria Vaccine Reaches More Than 650 000 Children in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi Through Groundbreaking Pilot Programme
WHO, 23 April 2021
Malaria vaccine coverage through childhood immunization programme signals strong community demand for vaccine. Read more »
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An infant surrounded by a protective mosquito net in Ghana (file photo).