23 June 2016 -- The Gavi Vaccine Alliance has announced that it will support a WHO-coordinated pilot programme for the malaria vaccine RTS,S/AS01 (RTS,S). In a statement issued today, GAVI noted that its support would be contingent upon co-funding agreements from other sources. WHO welcomes this announcement and encourages commitments from other donor agencies so that the programme can proceed as planned.
“For decades, a malaria vaccine has been one of the holy grails of modern medicine,” said Dr Pedro Alonso, Director of the WHO Global Malaria Programme.“ GAVI's pledge will help us fund the pilot deployment of a first-generation malaria vaccine that has the potential to save tens of thousands of lives in Africa,” he added.
