Malawi selected for malaria vaccine trials

Malawi has been selected for the world’s ever first vaccine against malaria which will also involve Ghana and Kenya.

New Malaria vaccine

According to the BBC, the RTS vaccine trains the immune system to attack the malaria parasite which is spread by mosquito bites.

At least six million people have malaria attack every year in Malawi out of which 30 per cent can be fatal.

The government is battling malaria drug thefts in most public hospitals which are solely donated by the US government.

World Health Organisation (WHO) says the jab has potential to save 40 percent of malaria cases, according to the BBC.

But it is not clear if it is feasible to use the vaccine trials in the poorest parts of the world where health service is non existent.

The vaccine needs to be given four times, once a month for three months and then a fourth close to 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 is limited.

WHO regional director for Africa Dr Matshidiso Moeti told the BBC: “The prospect of a malaria vaccine is great. Information gathered in the pilot program will help us make decisions on the wider use of this vaccine.”

The pilot project will involve more than 750000 children aged between five and 17 months.

Ghana, Kenya and Malawi were chosen because they already run large scale programs to tackle malaria, including use of bed nets, yet still have high number of cases.

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rose
rose
6 years ago

I doubt our Yes should be scruitinized very well. We are poor yes but not for trials.

QueenB
QueenB
6 years ago

If this vaccine came from mzungu it’s for no good. This could be a population control method. Malawians be careful!

Tangwena
Tangwena
6 years ago

We have been turned into hares. Every experiment, Malawi. Akalulu eni-eni kkkk. Tili busy kuzunzana, kubelana, kutukwanana,….

Trendex
6 years ago

TRIAL????????????

Tembo
Tembo
6 years ago

We hope all measures are taken to control vaccine contamination

Andrew
Andrew
6 years ago

While applauding the development, I am not very encouraged that poor ‘Us’ Malawians should be used as experiments. It is always like that when new vaccines are being tested, but out of Ghana, Kenya only Malawi should be the pioneer.

masa masina
masa masina
6 years ago

mwana wake wandani womuseweretsayo? chibwana eti?

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