Malaria vaccine a breakthrough despite being partially effective, say scientists

Though imperfect, vaccine ‘protected older children for four years against uncomplicated and severe malaria by a third’, says expert involved in project

The world’s first malaria vaccine is partially effective and could protect small children from the life-threatening disease, according to scientists who have completed the final trials.

The vaccine has been in development for 20 years and has cost more than $500m (£330m) so far. Hopes that it would save the lives of most of the 500,000 children under five who die from malaria each year have long been scaled back, but experts say that even a partially effective vaccine is an important breakthrough.

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from Children | The Guardian http://ift.tt/1QpDj2q