大象传媒

Children across much of Africa are to be vaccinated against malaria in a historic moment in the fight against the deadly disease.

Malaria has been one of the biggest scourges on humanity for millennia and mostly kills babies and infants.

Having a vaccine, after more than a century of trying, is among medicine's greatest achievements.

The vaccine - called RTS,S - was proven effective six years ago.

Now, after the success of pilot immunisation programmes in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi, the World Health Organization says the vaccine should be rolled out across sub-Saharan Africa and in other regions with moderate to high malaria transmission.

Dr Richard Mihigo is the Immunization and Vaccines Development Programme Coordinator for the WHO, with the Regional Office for Africa, based in Congo-Brazzaville.

(Pic: Baby being vaccinated in Africa; Credit: Brian Ongoro)