The RTS, S/ASO1 (RTS,S) malaria vaccine for children in Africa has been endorsed by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
This was announced by the director-general of the WHO, Tedros Ghebreyesus at a media briefing on Wednesday.
The recommendation followed a two-year vaccine 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.”