Efficacy of RTS,S/AS01E Vaccine against Malaria in Children 5 to 17 Months of Age

Plasmodium falciparum malaria is the cause of considerable morbidity and mortality worldwide; no effective vaccine is available. In this phase 2 randomized, double-blind study of 894 children in Kenya and Tanzania, the RTS,S malaria vaccine given with the AS01E adjuvant was found to have an adjusted rate of efficacy in preventing clinical malaria of 52.9%. In this study of children in Kenya and Tanzania, the RTS,S malaria vaccine given with the AS01E adjuvant was found to have an adjusted rate of efficacy in preventing clinical malaria of 52.9%. Worldwide, the mortality and morbidity associated with Plasmodium falciparum malaria are high. 1 – 3 Progress has been made in controlling malaria by introducing insecticide-treated nets 4 and highly effective artemisinin-based combination treatments. 5 There is evidence that the incidence of malaria is falling in some areas. 6 – 10 These advances have renewed interest in the prospects for the control of malaria and even its elimination in areas in which P. falciparum was previously endemic. 11 A safe and affordable vaccine providing protection against malaria would be an important addition to control strategies and should be assessed in the context of the use of insecticide-treated nets . . .