The World Health Organisation (WHO) has endorsed the RTS,S/AS01 (RTS,S) malaria vaccine for children in Africa.
Tedros Ghebreyesus, director-general of the WHO, announced the development at a media briefing today.
The recommendation followed a two-year vaccination programme, which involved children in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi.
Speaking on the recommendation, Ghebreyesus expressed optimism that the vaccine will improve efforts on malaria prevention in Africa.
“This is a historic moment. The long-awaited malaria vaccine for children is a breakthrough for science, child health and malaria control,” he said.
“Using this vaccine on top of existing tools to prevent malaria could save tens of thousands of young lives each year.”