Although the European Medicines Agency has given a positive opinion on RTS,S/AS01, it is not yet certain how this partially effective malaria vaccine can be used most effectively. Three, large-scale pilot implementation studies are being planned by WHO but it is unlikely that, following WHO recommendations, any of these will be conducted in a country where SMC is being delivered. The WHO recommendations on RTS,S/AS01 indicate the need for research on alternative approaches to the delivery of this vaccine. Exploration of the potential of the vaccine to prevent seasonal malaria, taking advantage of its high but rapidly waning efficacy, meets this recommendation and is, therefore, timely.