[Editor’s Note: Please consult New England Journal of Medicine article for the results of the RTS,S malaria vaccine trial and an NEJM editorial on malaria vaccines in separate posts below]
WHO and other partners announced promising results from a large-scale phase 3 clinical trial of the most advanced malaria vaccine candidate, RTS,S/AS01 at the Global Malaria Forum in Seattle. http://www.who.int/immunization/newsroom/newsstory_malaria_vaccine_trial_results/en/index.html
Speech: WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan assesses prospects for malaria control. Keynote address at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation 2011 Malaria Forum: Optimism and Urgency; Seattle, Washington, United States of America
17 October 2011
http://www.who.int/dg/speeches/2011/malaria_forum_17_10/en/index.html
In a PATH media release, a number of partner comments were captured including:
Andrew Witty, CEO, GSK:
“These data bring us to the cusp of having the world’s first malaria vaccine, which has the potential to significantly improve the outlook for children living in malaria endemic regions across Africa. The addition of a malaria vaccine to existing control interventions such as bed nets and insecticide spraying could potentially help prevent millions of cases of this debilitating disease. It could also reduce the burden on hospital services, freeing up much needed beds to treat other patients who often live in remote villages, with little or no access to healthcare. Today’s results are a testament to the dedication and tenacity of many scientists, led at GSK by Jean Stéphenne and his vaccine team, including Joe Cohen, the co-inventor of RTS,S, in partnership with many others from across the world. Development is however only half the task, but GSK remains committed to further research into malaria and most importantly, to ensuring that this vaccine will reach those who need it.”
Christopher Elias, president and CEO of PATH:
“This trial represents a powerful example of the high-quality science that is moving us toward controlling and someday potentially eliminating malaria. The results made public today are encouraging and certainly something to feel good about, but let’s also remember the human dimension. The PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative’s mission is to deliver a vaccine to the children of Africa so that instead of carrying near lifeless babies to crowded pediatric wards, mothers will carry their infants past noisy school playgrounds to bustling immunization clinics. Today, we are an important step closer to realizing that vision, and we look forward to continuing our drive, together with our partners, to bring this vaccine home to the children of Africa.”
The release also noted that “GSK and MVI are committed to making this vaccine available to those who need it most, should it be approved and recommended for use. In January 2010, GSK announced that the eventual price of RTS,S will cover the cost of manufacturing the vaccine together with a small return that will be reinvested in research and development for second-generation malaria vaccines or vaccines against other neglected tropical diseases.
“If the required public health information, including safety and efficacy data from the Phase III programme, is deemed satisfactory, the WHO has indicated that a policy recommendation for the RTS,S malaria vaccine candidate is possible as early as 2015, paving the way for decisions by African nations regarding large scale implementation of the vaccine through their national immunisation programmes.”
vaccines and global health :: ethics and policy 