Malaria is a leading cause of death and illness around the world. Over 200 million cases are reported every year, and more than 400 000 people die. More than 90% of cases are reported in sub-Saharan Africa. Scientists have spent decades searching for an effective vaccine. Hence the recent excitement when Malawi's government announced it had launched a pilot programme for the world's first malaria vaccine, RTS,S (also known as Mosquirix), produced by the pharmaceutical company, GSK. It's the first vaccine to demonstrate significant reduction in malaria in children. The Conversation Africa's Ina Skosana asked immunologist Faith Osier about RTS,S.
* This article was originally published here
