Three African countries have been chosen to test the world’s firstmalaria vaccine, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced. Ghana, Kenya and Malawi will begin piloting the injectable vaccine next year with young children, who have been at highest risk of death.

The vaccine, which has partial effectiveness, has the potential to save tens of thousands of lives if used with existing measures, the WHO regional director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, said in a statement. The challenge is whether impoverished countries can deliver the required four doses of the vaccine for each child.

Malaria remains one of the world’s most stubborn health challenges, infecting more than 200 million people every year and killing about half a million, most of them children in Africa. Bed netting and insecticides are the chief protection.

more:   http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/malaria-vaccine-africa-countries-who-ghana-kenya-malawi-world-health-organisation-injection-a7699026.html