Malaria vaccine nations announced

The seven nations taking part in a major new malaria vaccine trial have been named.

Volunteers from Malawi, Tanzania, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique and Burkina Faso will help test the treatment.

The vaccine, which has been developed by pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), has now entered its phase three trial period.

This part of the research involves as many as 16,000 children being tested with the treatment, with around 5,000 having already agreed to do so.

It is thought that this is one of the largest trials of its kind.

Dr Patricia Njuguna, principal investigator and chair of the Clinical Trails Partnership Committee, said: "A malaria vaccine could help save countless lives and redefine the future for Africa's children.

"Communities all across Africa are dedicated to this future and are participating to ensure that we develop a vaccine with an acceptable safety and efficacy profile."

GSK has previous suggested that nations and patients will not be priced out of obtaining the vaccine, should it prove to be effective.

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