First malaria vaccine is about to be approved

EU Medicines Agency gives green light for approval of the world's first malaria vaccine
After 30 years of intensive research, the world's first malaria vaccine will soon be approved despite some concerns. Developed under the name "RTS, S" but to be marketed as "Mosquirix", the drug was developed by the pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) in conjunction with the PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative and partly funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. In the future, babies in malaria risk areas should be vaccinated with the vaccine.

Some cases of meningitis in children who have received the malaria vaccine
The EU Medicines Agency Ema has approved the approval of the vaccine. According to experience, the EU Commission follows Ema's recommendations within one month. RTS, S would thus be the world's first approved malaria vaccine. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it will be examined later this year, when and how the vaccine should be used in the future.

The malaria vaccine could soon be approved. (Image: Alexander Raths / fotolia.com)

As great as the interest in the vaccine is, he is not a miracle weapon in the fight against malaria. So the vaccine is limited. In 2011 and 2012, studies were published that showed that the use of RTS, S could reduce the malaria cases of 6-12-week-old babies by about 27 percent and those of 5-17-month-old babies by about 46 percent , According to Ema's recommendation, the vaccine, which is given in four doses, should still be used in both age groups. Scientists involved in the development of the vaccine reported that the vaccine was well tolerated by the children. However, there have been isolated cases of meningitis in the vaccinated. However, it is still unclear whether there is a connection to the vaccine.

Malaria vaccine, together with other measures, could significantly reduce the number of malaria deaths
"Although RTS, S alone is not the answer to malaria, its use, together with currently available interventions, such as mosquito nets and insecticides, can make a very valuable contribution to combating the effects of malaria in children in African countries where is most necessary, "GSK CEO Andrew Witty is quoted in a statement by the pharmaceutical company. "The work will not stop here and GSK will continue to invest in research and development of malaria vaccines and treatments to find more ways to fight this devastating disease."
The use of mosquito nets and insecticides has significantly reduced the number of malaria cases in recent years, but according to the WHO, around 500,000 people still die each year from the disease. Many children died because only one out of five children in Africa currently receive malaria medication, according to the organization. An effective vaccine could save many lives.

GSK wants to offer the vaccine at a low price
The vaccine contains a protein from the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum as well as a potentiator that stimulates the production of antibodies. In this way it should be prevented that the parasites get into the liver of those affected and drive the disease.

GSK announced on Friday that they wanted to keep the price of the vaccine very low. He should cover only the production costs and in addition approximately five per cent of profit throw, which is reinvested in the research of vaccines against malaria or other neglected tropical diseases. (Ag)