5.3.3  Partial immunity to malaria

The severity of the attack depends on the Plasmodium species, as well as other circumstances, such as the state of immunity and the general health and nutritional status of the infected individual.

Following several attacks of malaria, people living in highly endemic regions can develop partial immunity that can protect them from severe attacks and death. But no-one develops complete immunity against malaria that can fully protect the person from infection. Pregnant women and children under five years of age are more susceptible to severe forms of the disease and death due to their weak immune system.