MALAWI: The world’s first malaria vaccine has begun in Malawi to give partial protection to children. The RTS,S vaccine trains the immune system to attack the malaria parasite, which is spread by mosquito bites.

Earlier, smaller trials showed that nearly 40% of the 5-to-17-month-olds who received it were protected.

Malaria cases appear to be on the rise again after a decade of success in combating the deadly disease.

“This is a landmark moment for immunisation, malaria control, and public health,” Dr Kate O’Brien, Director of Immunisation and Vaccines at the World Health Organization, said.

Malaria kills some 435,000 people around the world each year, the majority of them children. Most of these deaths are in Africa, where more than 250,000 children die every year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).