In what it called a "historic" move, the World Health Organization said Wednesday it has recommended widespread use of the world's first and only malaria vaccine among children in sub-Saharan Africa.
- The recommendation was based on results from a pilot program of vaccinations in child health clinics across Ghana, Kenya, and Malawai.
- The program has reached over 800,000 children and showed a reduction in deadly malaria by about 30%, according to WHO officials.
- Malaria is a parasitic disease transmitted through mosquito bites.
- According to WHO, nearly 300,000 children under the age of 5 in Africa die from malaria each year.
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