Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
11 October 2013 10:21
As many as 100 million malaria cases could be prevented annually with a new vaccine, it has been claimed
As many as 100 million malaria cases could be prevented annually and 200,000 lives saved with a new vaccine, according to a study by a British firm.
Pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) issued results saying the RTS,S malaria vaccine protected young children and babies from malaria up to 18 months after vaccination.
And it could have a massive impact on public health, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, said Eleanor Riley, professor of immunology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
Now the vaccine could be less than two years off as GSK plans to apply to European regulators for approval.
In the meantime, people heading to such regions on holiday are reminded of the importance of taking out medical travel insurance.
The vaccine was shown over 18 months to nearly halve the amount of malaria cases in children aged five to 17 months. The vaccine was found to have lowered malaria cases in babies aged six to 12 weeks with the first jab by roughly 25%.
There were three doses a month apart for the youngsters and their immunity to malaria in follow-up dropped, Professor Riley saying those doses delivered 30-50% protection.
A sample of the youngsters received a booster jab and experts are waiting to see if the booster gave extended protection.
The professor said if all at-risk children were vaccinated, 200,000 lives per year could be saved around the world, and 100 million cases per year around the world could be prevented, mainly sub-Saharan.
The vaccine triggers the immune system to defend against the malaria parasite and is designed to prevent it from infecting, maturing and multiplying in the liver.
Professor Sir Brian Greenwood, from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, who is an investigator on the trial, said: "Results show that the malaria vaccine RTS,S/AS01 continues to protect vaccinated children during an 18 month follow-up period."
22 September 2017
A new computer code that can be applied to GP surgery data could be the answer to identifying those most at risk of developing bowel cancer.
[more...]
21 September 2017
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued a warning over a growing resistance to antibiotics.
20 September 2017
Thousands of Ryanair flights have been cancelled over the next six weeks, as the airline says it "messed up" allocation of its pilots' annual leave.
19 September 2017
Manchester's Girlguides are being urged to help the elderly with a new badge incentivising youngsters to tackle senior loneliness.
16 September 2017
Holidaymakers are being evacuated as winds up to 200km per hour hit Central Vietnam, with Typhoon Doksuri damaging houses, roads and infrastructure.
15 September 2017
People in parts of East Anglia are eight times more likely to survive liver disease than Blackpool residents, according to new data by Public Health England (PHE).
14 September 2017
A non-invasive alternative to gastric bypass surgery that helps people with Type 2 diabetes lose weight is being recommended for widespread use by NHS experts.
13 September 2017
Almost half of UK adults travelling to areas at risk of malaria are not covering themselves by taking medication, despite recommendations made by the NHS and world health organisations.
12 September 2017
A new health warning has been issued by scientists in Sweden, suggesting e-cigarettes with nicotine could lead to an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.
09 September 2017
Researchers have developed a futuristic pen-like device that can tell whether someone has cancer much faster than current technology.
08 September 2017
A staffing crisis in the NHS is seeing cancer patients turned away from their GP surgery and instead visiting A&E, a report has claimed.
07 September 2017
Whether it's binge-watching box-sets, shopping for clothes, chatting to friends or picking up work emails, staying connected is pretty much essential to everyday life.