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."
17 August 2018
People living with HIV could be offered a long-lasting injection that controls the virus and protects patients from developing AIDS.
[more...]
16 August 2018
Holidaymakers in the UK will be hit by more train price hikes from next year, after the Government announced ticket prices will increase by 3.2% in January.
15 August 2018
A simple blood test could help GPs detect a rare form of bone marrow cancer much earlier, a new study suggests.
14 August 2018
Passengers arriving at Heathrow Airport last month faced queues of over two and a half hours at passport control, new figures have revealed.
11 August 2018
Hundreds of Ryanair flights will not take off as planned on Friday due to pilot strikes in five countries.
10 August 2018
Fad diets that cut out carbs while increasing fat consumption could lead to an increased risk of diabetes, according to new research.
09 August 2018
HIV testing has become even more accessible after a self-testing kit was made available from a High Street retailer.
08 August 2018
Women patients are more likely to survive a heart attack if they are treated by a female doctor, a new US study has revealed.
07 August 2018
The head of British Airways has branded two-hour queues facing travellers at Heathrow's passport control as a "border farce."
04 August 2018
Simple factors such as gender and body mass can help doctors to personalise care for patients with type 2 diabetes and avoid harmful side effects, according to a study.
03 August 2018
Gatwick Express must no longer claim it runs "non-stop to Victoria station in half an hour" and "in just 30 minutes" unless it can achieve the time in most cases, a watchdog has ruled.
02 August 2018
A charity is calling for greater access to respite support after it emerged that 72% of Britain's 700,000 young carers feel lonely and isolated during the summer holidays.