World’s First Malaria Vaccine Approved By WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) has approved a groundbreaking malaria vaccine in a “historic moment” in the fight against the disease.

The experts have recommended the vaccine among children in sub-Saharan Africa and other high risk areas.

Malaria remains a primary cause of death and childhood illness in sub-Saharan Africa – with more than 260,000 African children dying from the disease every year.

WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said: “This is a historic moment. The long-awaited malaria vaccine for children is a breakthrough for science, child health and malaria control.

“Using this vaccine on top of existing tools to prevent malaria could save tens of thousands of young lives each year.”