GlaxoSmithKline Plc experimental malaria vaccine showed up to 65 percent protection in children. Two separate clinical trials in Phase II were made over the vaccine known as RTS,S.

GlaxoSmithKline revealed data of study made in Kenia and Tanzania, although results are far from perfect the product will begin phase III clinical tests, the last stage before seeking regulatory approval by 2009.

The World Health Organization estimates malaria killed 881,000 people and infected 247 million worldwide in 2006. Some malaria experts say those numbers underestimate the problem.

The disease is especially hard to fight as people are continually infected by mosquitoes throughout their lives. The tiny parasites get into the blood and live and reproduce inside the body, causing fever and sometimes deadly brain infections.

In countries where a malaria vaccine is needed most, the current immunization schedule for infants, called the WHO Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI), would provide an optimal delivery platform.

RTS,S was tested in a study that enrolled 340 infants under 12 months in Tanzania, they were administered with three doses and other three with hepatitis B vaccine.

Data published by New England Journal of Medicines revealed that after 6 months 65 percent of the patients were protected against the disease.

A previous study showed that the vaccine protects toddler for at least 18 months.

A second trial enrolled 894 children 5-17 months old in both Kenya and Tanzania.. The study was a double-blind randomized clinical trial in which children received either three doses of the RTS,S/AS01 vaccine candidate or a rabies vaccine.

Rate of malaria episodes declined 53 percent.