The World Health Organisation (WHO) have stated that 360,000 children in three African countries will be receiving the world’s first malaria vaccine.
Malawi have started with the vaccinations for children under the age of two, while Kenya and Ghana will begin to use the vaccine in the coming weeks. The vaccine will offer partial protection from the disease, with the WHO stating that trials found that the vaccine prevents four in 10 malaria cases.
WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a press statement: “The malaria vaccine has the potential to save tens of thousands of children’s lives.”
The vaccine will be given in four doses, with three doses being given to children between the ages of five and nine months, while the fourth dose will be provided around their second birthday.