As of 2010, there was no malaria vaccine available, but researchers were working on developing one for children in malaria-endemic areas. Malaria prophylaxis is available but can have side effects. When a vaccine becomes available, doctors will provide information on risks and benefits, and it will be phased in gradually. Precautions such as wearing insect repellent and sleeping under netting are recommended to reduce the risk of infection.
As of 2010, no malaria vaccination was available, despite the efforts of researchers interested in developing an effective preventive vaccine for this disease. When an immunization becomes available, the pros and cons of vaccination will be similar to those of other vaccines, as you need to carefully weigh the risks and benefits before proceeding. Malaria prophylaxis to prevent or reduce the risk of infection is available and is generally strongly recommended.
The development of a malaria immunization has focused on creating a vaccine for children in malaria-endemic areas, as they are more vulnerable to infection and are also more likely to experience long-term complications such as cognitive impairment if they are infected with the parasite. Researchers in 2010 developed a modified yellow fever vaccine with potential promise in protecting against malaria, but the vaccine was considered highly experimental and wouldn’t be ready for public use in the foreseeable future.
People considering immunization against malaria with an available vaccine should consider the risks of complications such as vaccination site infections, allergic reactions to vaccine components, and very rare adverse reactions to the vaccine itself. These are all potential risks of any vaccination. The benefit of being able to resist malaria is generally thought to be worth the risks, except in a few rare cases. People considering the pros and cons of vaccination who have underlying diseases that could put them at greater risk by taking the vaccine may want to abstain and rely on the herd immunity conferred by vaccinating the majority of the population.
When malaria immunization becomes available, doctors can provide patients with information about the risks and benefits to help them make an informed decision about whether to proceed with the vaccination. It will be phased in, starting with clinical trials in a limited population to see if it is safe and effective, and rolling out to the general population over time.
Malaria prophylaxis to prevent infection requires people to start taking medications before traveling to a malaria-endemic area and continue taking them during their stay and for about a month after returning. These drugs can be expensive, and side effects include emotional disturbances, trouble sleeping, and headaches. People experiencing severe side effects may need to explore taking a different medication. Precautions such as wearing insect repellent and sleeping under netting are also recommended to limit the chance of being bitten by a mosquito carrying malaria parasites. Until malaria immunization is available, these best practices will reduce the risk of contracting this parasitic infection.
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