Reuters Examines Large-Scale Malaria Vaccine Trial Scheduled To Begin Early Next Year

• "Africa Vaccine Trial New Push Against Malaria": According to Reuters, the trial will be the "largest ever undertaken" in Africa, and funders, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, hope it will lead to new and effective malaria control strategies. Although a 2003 study on RTS,S conducted in Mozambique found the vaccine candidate was at least 30% effective against mild malaria cases and about 50% effective against severe malaria, the Malaria Vaccine Initiative aims to develop a malaria vaccine that is at least 50% effective by 2015 and a second-generation product that provides 80% protection by 2025. RTS,S "may not cover all the bases, but it could cover some of them," Patricia Njuguna, a Kenyan physician who will be a principal investigator for the trial, said. Although African health workers say even a partially effective malaria vaccine would be welcome, they add that it will not solve the continent's health challenges. However, researchers say the vaccine trial is helping to spur investment in African health systems, equipment and expertise that will eventually benefit the wider community (Quinn, Reuters [1], 11/27).
  

• "Babies Are Africa's Malaria Warriors": According to Omar Juma, field coordinator for the RTS,S trial at the Bagamoyo District Hospital in Tanzania, "rights and ethics issues are very important" for women considering whether to enroll their children in the malaria vaccine trial. The women are "very aware of safety issues," Juma said, adding that "[i]f you want to talk about vaccine, first you have to talk about the disease." Fatima Stilihari -- a member of the Community Advisory Board in Ifakara, Tanzania, who coordinates between medical researchers and the community -- said that although some women initially were hesitant about the trial, many were attracted by the improved health care their children would receive during the study. "It's advantageous for the community because the kids get treated quickly when they are sick," Stilihari said, adding that the children receive no-cost transportation to hospitals and can access medicines that are not always available at government health centers (Quinn, Reuters [2], 11/27).