World’s First Malaria Vaccine may be Approved for use in 2015 —Experts

RESEARCHERS have found that for every 1,000 children who received malaria vaccine, an average of 800 cases of illness could be prevented.

They also found out that the vaccine continues to provide protection 18 months after its injections were given.

The manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), has now applied for regulatory approval, making this the first vaccine to reach this step.

The company has asked the European Medicine’s Authority to approve it for global use.

It said together with other preventative measures, such as bed nets and insecticides, the vaccine could represent a huge step forward in malaria control.

Scientists are investigating whether a booster could further improve the chances of success.

Professor Sanjeev Krishna of St George’s University of London, who was not involved in the research but reviewed the paper for the journal, said “this is a milestone. The landscape of malaria vaccine development is littered with carcasses, with vaccines dying left, right and centre.

“To get to this stage is very encouraging indeed. We eagerly await the next results to see how long-lasting protection is and whether a booster adds further potential.

“We need to keep a watchful eye for adverse events, but everything appears on track for the vaccine to be approved as early as next year.”

Professor Brian Greenwood of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, who was involved in the research, told the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) that “to finally get a malaria vaccine licensed would be a huge leap forward.

“Though it does not provide 100 per cent protection, for areas where malaria is commonplace, this has the potential to have a real impact.”

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is developing RTS,S with the non-profit Path Malaria Vaccine Initiative, supported by funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.