Oct 8, 2021
The world’s first-ever malaria vaccine is recommended for widespread use among children by the WHO.
Transcript
The world’s first-ever malaria vaccine has this week been recommended for widespread use among children by the WHO. Thirty years in the making, RTS,S offers around 40% protection from P. falciparum malaria, and around 30% protection from the severe form of the disease. Though not a ‘magic bullet’, the use of the vaccine in sub-Saharan Africa and other regions with moderate-to-high malaria transmission could see tens of thousands of lives saved each year. The vaccine is safe, well-tolerated and highly cost-effective. Reacting to what amounts to a major policy announcement is Peter Agre, Director of the Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute:
“It is a momentous day for science. This first malaria vaccine, thirty years in the making, was created by the collective and persistent effort of many people globally. The vaccine will not put an end to all deaths, yet it is a major advance that will save lives, save children.”
Source
WHO recommends groundbreaking malaria vaccine for children at
risk
About The Podcast
The Johns Hopkins Malaria Minute podcast is produced by the Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute to highlight impactful malaria research and to share it with the global community.