For the first time ever, researchers have developed a vaccine that offers complete protection against malaria.
In a study published Thursday in the journal Science, researchers show that a new vaccine, called PfSPZ, offered 100 per cent protection against malaria when a full dose of the vaccine is administered intravenously.
In the trial, six people were given a full five doses of the vaccine. Nine volunteers were given only four doses. Six participants did not receive the vaccine.
Of the people who received all five doses, none of them developed the disease. Three of the nine people who received four doses developed malaria. Moreover, five out of the six volunteers who did not receive the vaccine became infected.
The clinical trial involved a very small group, but researchers believe it is an important step in the “long and frustrating effort” to develop a vaccine for malaria.
Malaria, a life-threatening disease transmitted through mosquitoes, caused an estimated 660,000 deaths in 2010, according to the World Health Organization. In the same year, the most recent we have data for, there were more than 200 million cases of malaria worldwide.
WHO said malaria puts half of the world’s population (3.3 billion) at risk.
The disease is caused by Plasmodium parasites, which are spread through the bites of infected mosquitoes.
According to WHO, in 2011 99 countries and territories reported ongoing malaria transmissions. However, 80 per cent of malaria-related deaths occur in just 14 countries.
Officials say a child dies every minute in Africa from malaria.
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