Ethiopian Review

Nairobi — Kenyan and American scientists Thursday launched trials for a malaria vaccine. Launching the trials at the Siaya District Hospital, the researchers and scientists from the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and the United States’ Centers for Diseases Control (CDC), said the trials would be held in three districts countrywide namely Siaya, Kisumu West and Kilifi districts.

Led by Dr Mary Hamel, the KEMRI/CDC Research and Public Health Collaborator, and Dr Simeon Kariuki and Dr Christopher Odero, the scientists said that over 5,000 children were expected to used in the trials that will be conducted over a three year period.

The vaccine is said to have the potential to provide protection against the disease that is blamed for many deaths in Africa.

In Siaya, the studies will be conducted at the district hospital, Ting’wangi Health Centre and Kogelo Dispensary.

Trials

Dr Hamel, who heads the Kisumu CDC’s malaria unit, said that Siaya was under focus since research shows that 25 per cent of children below five years and 40 per cent of those above five years suffer from frequent attacks of malaria.

He said that 1,852 children in Siaya and Kombewa centre in Kisumu West district would be involved in the trials while a further 1,000 will participate in Kilifi district.

They said that the vaccine will be added into the existing malaria control tools and each of the children identified will be followed for 32 months once enrolled in the study.

- KNA