January 2011

Is vaccine the magic bullet for malaria elimination? A reality check

A new article in the Malaria Journal proposes a malaria vaccine as a necessary addition to the collection of currently effective interventions for elimination and eventual eradication. Authors review the potential impact that various malaria vaccine types could have on transmission, and conclude that due to the wide epidemiological variability between endemic settings, the ideal approach to controlling malaria must depend on the specific local context. Even when partially protective vaccines become available, the integration of all available tools and resources will be critical to achieve elimination.