Vaccine strategies for malaria: applicability in areas of seasonal or epidemic malaria.

The likely effects of different vaccine strategies was tested using computer simulation of malaria transmission. In areas of seasonal or epidemic malaria, vaccines directed against all stages (pre-erythrocytic, erythrocytic and sexual) gave similar reductions in disease transmission. These models indicate that such vaccines may be much more effective that commonly predicted. The major effect will be to slow the spread of, rather than totally prevent malaria. As such, the use of such vaccines will be heavily dependent on integrated control programs involving other forms of control.