- Ghana, Kenya and Malawi – starting in 2018.
- The RTS,S vaccine trains the immune system to attack the malaria parasite, which is spread by mosquito bites.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) said the jab had the potential to save tens of thousands of lives.
- But it is not yet clear if it will be feasible to use in the poorest parts of the world.
- The vaccine needs to be given four times – once a month for three months and then a fourth dose 18 months later.
- This has been achieved in tightly controlled and well-funded clinical trials, but it is not yet clear if it can be done in the “real-world” where access to health care is limited.
- It is why the WHO is running pilots in three countries to see if a full malaria vaccine programme could be started. It will also continue to assess the safety and effectiveness of the vaccination.
- Ghana, Kenya and Malawi were chosen because they already run large programmes to tackle malaria, including the use of bed nets, yet still have high numbers of cases.
- Each country will decide how to run the vaccination pilots, but high-risk areas are likely to be prioritised.
- Africa is the hardest hit and most of the deaths are in children.
- The pilots are being funded by: Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Unitaid, the WHO and GSK.
Source:BBC
