The world has waited decades for a malaria vaccine, and now two have come along in quick succession. On October 2, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended that a new malaria vaccine developed by the University of Oxford be rolled out for the prevention of malaria in children, just two years after another vaccine, the RTS,S, got their endorsement. We find out why it's been so hard to find a malaria vaccine – and hear from the scientists behind the new breakthrough. We’ve been waiting for the official announcement to publish this story, so listeners will hear from former hosts Daniel Merino and Nehal El-Hadi.

Featuring Faith Osier, co-director of the Institute of Infections at Imperial College London; Adrian Hill, director of the Jenner Institute at Oxford University, and Alassane Dicko, professor of epidemiology and public health at the Malaria Research and Training Center at the University of Bamako.

This episode of The Conversation Weekly was produced and written by Katie Flood. The hosts are Dan Merino and Nehal El-Hadi. The executive producer was Mend Mariwany. Sound design was by Eloise Stevens and our theme music is by Neeta Sarl. Full credits for this episode are available here. A transcript is now available. Sign up here for a free daily newsletter from The Conversation.

Further reading: 

• How genetically modifying mosquitoes could strengthen the world’s war on malaria
• Nigeria has Africa’s highest malaria death rate - progress is being made, but it’s not enough
• Hope is on the horizon for a malaria-free Africa