ADVERTISEMENT

'Viral' vaccine shows 1st promising result after 20 years of research

In a study of 121 men in Kenya, the vaccine which was developed at Oxford University, was 67% effective.

___3737842___https:______static.pulse.com.gh___webservice___escenic___binary___3737842___2015___5___8___18____82836260_red_blood_cells_with_plasmodium-spl

A trial of a malaria vaccine that targets the most dangerous variety of parasite that causes the disease has shown some positive early results, BBC reports.

In a study of 121 men in Kenya, the vaccine which was developed at Oxford University, was 67% effective.

20 years of research later, encouraging results have now been recorded for 2 malaria vaccines.

Also, recent tests of a different vaccine in more advanced trials showed signs of it working in young children.

ADVERTISEMENT

In the Oxford trial, published in Science Translational Medicine, scientists used two viruses, one a chimpanzee virus, to stimulate the body's immune system to produce cells that can fight against malaria.

Following up participants after 8 weeks, they found the vaccine had reduced the risk of malaria by two-thirds in those who had been given it.

Speaking on the development, Prof Adrian Hill, director of the Jenner Institute at the University of Oxford, said "such high efficacy in this first field trial is encouraging for further testing in children and infants who most need a malaria vaccine."

However, malaria transmission levels had been "unexpectedly low" during the trial, the study said, so it was difficult to know how the vaccine would have performed if the malaria risk had been high.

The Oxford researchers are now testing the safety of the vaccine in children and babies in Burkina Faso.

ADVERTISEMENT

Malaria has been a serious killer in Sub-Saharan Africa and according to the World Health Organization, there were 198 million cases of malaria in 2013 and about 584,000 deaths related to the disease.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Siamese twin gets married while still conjoined with her sister

Siamese twin gets married while still conjoined with her sister

LP BoT kicks out Abure despite convention victory, takes over party affairs

LP BoT kicks out Abure despite convention victory, takes over party affairs

6 Labour Party lawmakers defect to PDP in Enugu State

6 Labour Party lawmakers defect to PDP in Enugu State

Tinubu's special assistant donates food items to 1,700 residents in FCT

Tinubu's special assistant donates food items to 1,700 residents in FCT

Anambra PASAN begins strike over Soludo's failure to grant financial autonomy

Anambra PASAN begins strike over Soludo's failure to grant financial autonomy

Governor Sanwo-Olu pays ₦4.48 billion to 1,455 retirees in accrued pensions

Governor Sanwo-Olu pays ₦4.48 billion to 1,455 retirees in accrued pensions

Court discharges ex-AGF Adoke, 6 others in Malabu oil scam case

Court discharges ex-AGF Adoke, 6 others in Malabu oil scam case

Nigerians are expected to pay for TV licences — here’s what the law says

Nigerians are expected to pay for TV licences — here’s what the law says

BEDC management denies rumours of dissolution, increases revenue

BEDC management denies rumours of dissolution, increases revenue

Pulse Sports

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT