A new punch to a parasitic problem

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By the Numbers

Illustration by Krieg Barrie

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30

The number of years the world’s first effective malaria vaccine, GlaxoSmithKline-made Mosquirix, spent in development before the World Health Organization (WHO) approved its use on Oct. 6. French physician Alphonse Laveran discovered the parasite responsible for malaria in 1880, and scientists have been trying to control the disease ever since. According to clinical trials, Mosquirix demonstrated a 50 percent efficacy against malaria—well short of the WHO goal. But when combined with other malaria controls, the new vaccine significantly reduced the death and suffering brought about by the parasite

75%

The efficacy standard set by the World Health Organization. Another vaccine in development called R21 posted a 77 percent efficacy this year in early tests.

500,000

The number of people who die of malaria each year.

260,000

The number of African children who die of malaria each year.

2.3M

The number of people in three African countries who have received Mosquirix already.

15M

The number of doses GlaxoSmithKline said it can produce annually charging 5 percent above the cost of production.

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