A vaccine to combat malaria could become a reality by 2014. While currently there are no licensed vaccines against malaria or any other human parasite, a research vaccine against P. falciparum, known as RTS,S/AS01, is at an advanced stage.

According to the WHO experts, the vaccine is currently being evaluated in a large clinical trial in 7 countries in Africa. However, the WHO recommendation for use will depend on the final results from the large clinical trial. “These final results are expected in late 2014, and a recommendation as to whether or not this vaccine should be added to existing malaria control tools is expected in 2015”.