Vaccination announcement signals incredible news for millions of infants

With half a million people dying every year from malaria, the news that the world's first vaccine against the disease is soon to go on stream is being celebrated within the medical community.

After spending 30 years in development, the very first malaria vaccine has been recommended to be licensed for use in babies in Africa.

Mosquirix, which has been developed by Glaxo Smith Kline, has been endorsed by the European Medicines Agency, with the World Health Organisation producing guidelines for use.

With one child dying from malaria every minute, it has been established that the vaccine will be distributed on a not-for-profit basis and administered exclusively to children.

Commenting on the news while speaking to Irish broadcaster, Pat Kenny, Dr. Sophie Biernaux, Head of the Malaria Vaccine Franchise for Glaxo Smith Kline Biologicals, said: "It is a quick shot. We need to do it four times. Three doses will be given one month apart with a booster given eighteen months after the primary vaccination."

Elaborating on the trial process, Dr. Biernaux explained: "We have performed a safety study in eleven sites in seven African countries where you have malaria disease, so more than 16,000 children have been vaccinated by the vaccine."

Following approval from all national authorities in sub-Saharan Africa, production of the vaccine will begin.