Researchers have already safely tested the vaccine in adult volunteers in the United States, Belgium, Kenya, and The Gambia. It demonstrated a 70 percent efficacy rate in protecting adults in The Gambia against infection over a short period of time, making it the world s only malaria vaccine candidate to have shown that level of efficacy. During the upcoming children s trials, MRC investigators will encourage families to take the normally recommended malaria prevention measures. They will closely monitor the children for at least two malaria seasons, which coincide with the annual rainy season, and treat any child who contracts malaria. We are hopeful that the promising results from the adult trial will translate to a safe vaccine that will protect children for a longer period of time.
Malaria is a parasitic infection transmitted through the bite of the Anopheles mosquito.
Currently, no vaccine is licensed to protect against malaria. Anti-malarial drugs are available, but the parasite has consistently developed resistance to them, leaving millions vulnerable to the disease. GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals, the world s leading vaccine manufacturer, last year distributed over 1.1 billion doses of vaccines to 177 countries, an average of 35 per second. The Medical Research Council has worked in The Gambia for 50 years and has developed a strong relationship with the community and the government. As a result, more than 90 percent of Gambia s children are immunized against the major childhood diseases-a slightly higher rate of immunization than in the United States.