A malaria vaccine is designed to prevent malaria, a life-threatening disease caused by parasites transmitted to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes. One notable example is RTS,S.
Understanding RTS,S: A Key Example
RTS,S is a malaria vaccine engineered using genes from the outer protein of P. falciparum malaria parasite and a portion of a hepatitis B virus plus a chemical adjuvant to boost the immune response. Its mechanism of action is based on inducing high antibody titers that block the parasite from infecting the liver, thus preventing infection. This vaccine represents a significant advancement in the fight against malaria.
