UK's GlaxoSmithKline aims to market first malaria vaccine
- 11 years ago
Malaria kills hundreds of thousands of people every year, mostly babies in sub-Saharan Africa.
This child in Tanzania is taking part in a trial for the world's first malaria vaccine RTS,S
Britain's GlaxoSmithKline is hoping to get marketing approval for the injection next year after the trial significantly cut cases in children.
Scientists say an effective vaccine is key for eradicating malaria.
Doctor Allan Pamba helped carry out the trial for GSK.
SOUNDBITE: Allan Pamba, GSK doctor, saying (English):
"The vaccine reduces by about half the risk of malaria for children between 5 and 17 months and by about a quarter for children 6 - 12 weeks. It's a huge population of children we've been following, about 15,000 across 11 sites in 7 countries across Africa."
If drug regulators give it the green light, the World Health Organisation may recommend use of the vaccine in two years' time.
But getting it to patients won't be easy, says Mark Hollis
This child in Tanzania is taking part in a trial for the world's first malaria vaccine RTS,S
Britain's GlaxoSmithKline is hoping to get marketing approval for the injection next year after the trial significantly cut cases in children.
Scientists say an effective vaccine is key for eradicating malaria.
Doctor Allan Pamba helped carry out the trial for GSK.
SOUNDBITE: Allan Pamba, GSK doctor, saying (English):
"The vaccine reduces by about half the risk of malaria for children between 5 and 17 months and by about a quarter for children 6 - 12 weeks. It's a huge population of children we've been following, about 15,000 across 11 sites in 7 countries across Africa."
If drug regulators give it the green light, the World Health Organisation may recommend use of the vaccine in two years' time.
But getting it to patients won't be easy, says Mark Hollis