British researchers, reporting success with malaria vaccine trials, are calling for the next phase of development — a broader vaccination base.
Experts from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine said the trial has proven successful among infants and toddlers in Tanzania and Kenya, the school reported in a news release. The vaccine in trial has the potential to be integrated into existing infant vaccination programs in sub-Saharan Africa.
Information on two trials of the malaria vaccine were reported online in the New England Journal of Medicine.
One paper reported one malaria vaccine trial indicated the vaccine could be co-administered with standard childhood vaccines and concluded it didn't reduce the strength of other vaccines, researchers said.
Another trial on a different formulation of the malaria vaccine indicated a strong immune response was detected and the vaccine was safe.
"These two papers add to the data on (the vaccine trials), making a strong case for moving forward to large-scale vaccination in phase 3," said Chris Drakeley, a senior lecturer at the school. "Testing the vaccine in a broad range of epidemiological settings will show if it is suitable for inclusion in routine vaccination programs throughout sub-Saharan Africa."
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