TheCable

The days of malaria ─ the biggest killer of African children under the age of five ─ are literally numbered.

The world’s first malaria vaccine is just a few steps away from being approved for use in 2015 ─ ending decades of unsuccessful trials.

Researchers writing in PLOS Medicine ─ a peer-reviewed open-access journal ─  reported that malaria was prevented in 800 out 1000 children who received the vaccine.

Also, some 18 months after the injections were given, it went on to provide protection in the continuing trials.

In the trials, the RTS,S vaccine was given to 1,500 infants and children.

After 18 months of the last injection, researchers found that the vaccine almost halved the number of cases of malaria in young children.

It was less effective, though, in infants aged six to 12 weeks as the vaccine only reduced episodes of malaria by a quarter.

Manufacturers GSK have now applied for regulatory approval, a first in this particularly problematic area of medical research.

If approved by the European Medicine’s Authority, GSK will make it available for global use.

Current measures to combat malaria include use of insecticides, bed nets and local herbs, but a vaccine will not necessarily put an end to these measures.

There are over 200 million cases of malaria every year, killing 1.2 million ─ especially African children.