QUESTION What is the shot you get to prevent malaria? ANSWER There is currently no shot available to prevent malaria. The most promising vaccine candidate, called RTS,S and being developed by GlaxoSmithKline, is currently undergoing Phase III trials in children in Africa. Preliminary results have indicated it may prevent up to 50% of malaria cases, though this varies by age group and … [Read more...]
The “E” word and the “V” word: Two Holy Grails of Malaria Control
The Roll Back Malaria Partnership talks confidently of elimination—many others question if this is possible without new interventions. The recent publication of the first Phase 3 clinical trial for a malaria vaccine shows promise, but is it actually good enough? REVIEW OF: Roll Back Malaria Partnership, “Eliminating Malaria: Learning from the Past, Looking Ahead”, Progress & … [Read more...]
RTS,S Malaria Vaccine
QUESTION: What information can you provide on this vaccine candidate? ANSWER: RTS,S is a vaccine candidate against Plasmodium falciparum malaria which works by encouraging the host's body to produce antibodies and T cells which diminish the malaria parasite's ability to survive and reproduce in the liver. Produced by GlaxoSmithKline, RTS,S is the first vaccine candidate against … [Read more...]