Kenya on Friday became the third country to start routinely innoculating infants against malaria, using the world’s first vaccine to combat a disease that kills 800 children globally every day.
The vaccine — RTS,S — targets the deadliest and most common form of malaria parasite in Africa, where children under five account for two-thirds of all global deaths from the mosquito-born illness.
“This is the most advanced malaria vaccine that we have today. It has been in the making for the last almost three decades,” Dr Richard Mihigo, WHO’s coordinator of immunisation and vaccine development programme, toldREAD ALSO:“Children are the most vulnerable group to this severe disease that is malaria, so protecting children can make a big impact in preventing malaria.”
RTS,S acts against ‘Plasmodium falciparum’, the deadliest form of malaria, and the most prevalent in Africa, where illness and death from the disease remains high despite some gains. The vaccine prevented about four in 10 cases of malaria and three in 10 cases of the most severe, life-threatening form of the disease, within the trial group, WHO says.
Nigeria Latest News, Nigeria Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Australia Advance To World Cup Semi-Final For First TimeAustralia Advance To World Cup Semi-Final For First Time
Read more »
Northern Governors Adopt FG’s Livestock Transformation PlanNorthern Governors Adopt FG’s Livestock Transformation Plan.
Read more »
Ex-world number one Clijsters announces surprise - Vanguard NewsNigeria News - Belgium's former world number one Kim Clijsters announced on Thursday her return to competitive tennis in 2020, seven years after retiring...
Read more »
Millions of donated Malaria drugs diverted in Nigeria -- Federal GovtFG says it will engage law enforcement agencies against parties whose actions or inactions lead to diversion of anti-malaria drugs (ACT) supplied to Nigeria
Read more »
Northern Governors adopt FG’s Livestock Transformation planThe Northern Governors Forum (NGF) on Thursday said it has decided to adopt a holistic approach toward tackling some challenges in the region.
Read more »