Effective vaccination for malaria and wider implications for future global child health

Abstract

Malaria remains a major public health concern. Following decades of research and development, a significant milestone was recently achieved with the historic approval of the first-generation of malaria vaccines. Importantly, initial programmatic use is planned for children living in areas of Africa with high malaria transmission intensity. Although their protective efficacy is incomplete, it is anticipated that these vaccines will provide public health gains. Noteworthy is the fact that, in addition to the direct antimalarial benefit, a highly effective malaria vaccine would have broad implications for global child health. Here we summarize the potential broader public health benefits of an efficacious vaccine and the practical implications of vaccine rollout. We also briefly discuss the current state of malaria vaccine research and development.