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Malaria is a world wide public health issue. It is an infectious disease transmitted by the bite of the female anopheles mosquito. It is caused by the protozoan parasite called Plasmodium. Very simply put, the mosquito transmits malaria sporozoites into the bloodstream. These first infect the liver cells. Here the sporozoites multiply for a few days and then tens of thousands of merozoites are released into the blood stream where they target the red blood cells. This cycle continues and gives rise to symptoms of malaria. Malaria typically involves chills, fever, nausea, and even comatose state and death. Malaria has been affecting humans for thousands of years. In fact, it was as early as 1880 when the parasite responsible for malaria was identified. Each year, about 1-3 million deaths, and nearly 400-900 million cases of fever due to malaria are identified. Malaria is now considered to be an endemic and nearly 85-90% of deaths due to malaria occur in Africa. In this situation, a malaria vaccination would seem to be the best way to protect a large number of people against malaria. However, till date a malaria vaccination has not been developed successfully though several malaria vaccinations are being tested
and researched in labs around the world. There are several reasons why an effective malaria vaccination has not been developed so far for commercial use. So far most vaccinations that are developed are for viruses and bacteria. If a malaria vaccination has to be developed it will have to be for a protozoan parasite which is more difficult and complicated. This is because parasites have a more complex life cycle and thus making a malaria vaccination becomes complex as there can be several entry points of the vaccine. Another obstacle in creating a malaria vaccination is that the parasites have strategies of protecting themselves. They take cover within the red blood cells and thus manage to hide from the immune system. Also the proteins with which the parasites cover themselves are different for each, just like hair or eyes colour. They also give off different protein signals which make the immune responses very very complex. So while the body responds in several ways against the parasite, we do not know which one is successful and can be used to make a malaria vaccination. Researchers around the world are working to develop a malaria vaccination that will be successful in protecting against the plasmodium parasite. Given all the difficulties that are present, the malaria vaccination that is finally developed will be in all probability expensive and will need several doses to provide a long lasting immunity. One can hope that an effective malaria vaccination is the first step towards fighting this difficult disease and low cost and quick action is the next. Childhood Vaccination
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