Vaccines to check malaria to be introduced to three Africa Countries

A vaccine that will fight malaria will be introduced to Ghana,Malawi and Kenya in 2018.The World Health Organization says the vaccine will have the potential of saving tens of thousands of lives.

The vaccine known as RTS,S,trains the immune system to attack the malaria parasite which is spread by mosquitoes,the vaccine is expected to be given four times,that is,once a month for a three months period and then the fourth dose after eighteen months.


According to the World Health Organization Regional Director for Africa,Dr.Matshindiso Moeti:

''The prospect of a malaria vaccine is great news,information gathered in the pilot program will help us make decisions on the wider use of this vaccine combined with existing malaria interventions,such a vaccine would have the potential to save tens of thousands of lives in Africa.''

This first pilot trial will see about 750,000 children between the ages of 5 and 17 months getting the vaccination and this will help researchers to know the effectiveness of the vaccine.The three countries were chosen based on their forceful approach towards malaria which includes the use of mosquito treated nets.

The pilot program is funded by Gavi,the Vaccine Alliance,The Global Fund to fight Aids,Tuberculosis and Malaria,Unitaid,World Health Organization and Gsk.

Dr.Seth Berkley,the chief executive of Gavi said:

''The world's first malaria vaccine is a real achievement that has being 30 years in the making,today's announcement marks an important step towards potentially making it available on a global scale.

''Malaria places a terrible burden on many of the worlds poorest countries,claiming thousands of lives and holding back economies.These pilots are crucial to determining the impact the vaccine could have on reducing this toll.''