The same Oxford University team behind a successful coronavirus vaccine candidate are on the verge of entering the final stage of human trials in their jab against malaria.
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In an interview with The Times, The Jenner Institute director Adrian Hill said the malaria vaccine would be tested on 4800 children in Africa next year after early trials yielded promising results.
Hill told the paper he hoped the jab could eventually combat the almost half a million annual deaths from the mosquito-borne disease.
"Malaria is a public health emergency," he said.
"A lot more people will die in Africa this year from malaria than will die from COVID. I don't mean twice as many - probably 10 times.
"(The vaccine) is going to be available in very large amounts, it works pretty well and it's going to be very low-priced."
Hill said the vaccine could be in use by 2024, should the final human trials be successful.
The Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine is awaiting regulatory approval for use in the UK.
Australian Associated Press
