Loading...
The morbidity and mortality burdens associated with falciparum malaria remain high in many areas of the world. Despite years of intensive investigation, we still do not have a safe and effective malaria vaccine (JW Infect Dis Dec 17 2008). In a recent controlled, double-blind, proof-of-concept trial, researchers examined the efficacy and safety of a monovalent blood-stage vaccine based on apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA1) from the 3D7 strain of Plasmodium falciparum. The trial was conducted in rural Mali from May 2007 through February 2008.
Four hundred healthy children aged 1 to 6 years were randomized to receive three monthly doses of either the malaria vaccine or a rabies vaccine. The children were followed until 6 months after the third i…