Despite a cure in hand, a vaccine is the only way to end malaria (and may be right around the corner)

Technology and science often move faster than the money and logistics required to implement it. Such is the case with malaria, a parasitic disease that causes high fevers, shaking chills, flu-like symptoms, anemia, and eventual death. There has been a treatment available since 1989 but the disease spreads faster than the drug can be distributed.

Is there a vaccine around the corner that can stop this killer once and for all?

According to research performed by the World Health Organization and Assay Depot, there just might be. It’s still in the final stages of clinical trials, but Mosquirix is set to be licensed to hit the market in 2015. The drug works by stimulating the immune response once a parasite enter the bloodstream. By doing so, it can prevent the parasite from maturing and multiplying in the liver.

This will change the lives of millions of people worldwide, particularly in Africa where the insect that westerner consider and annoyance can be deadly. Three-fourths of a million people die from the disease every year.

This infographic explains more. Click to enlarge.