A New Malaria Vaccine Showing High Efficacy Rate Could Be Available Soon

Malaria has long been one of the most threatening diseases in the tropical world. About 229 million cases were recorded in 2019, and 409,000 deaths, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Of those deaths, 67 percent occurred in children under age five. 94 percent of all cases and deaths occur in Africa.

The WHO issued a call for a vaccine with at least 75 percent efficacy against malaria by 2030. Meanwhile, RTS,S — the only licensed vaccine to date — is only effective 36 to 55 percent of the time. Read how an effective malaria vaccine came to be.