Chinese scientists have developed the first vaccine to protect children against a virus called enterovirus 71, or EV71, that causes the common and sometimes deadly hand, foot and mouth disease.
The infection causes a rash and painful blisters, but in some cases results in brain infections which can be fatal.
In a trial involving 10,000 children, the researchers have found that the vaccine, made from a deactivated enterovirus 71 (EV71), was 90 percent effective against the virus, the BBC reported.
But it does not protect against other viruses that result in the disease, according to the study published in the Lancet.
Groups of researchers in Jiangsu province and Beijing tested the vaccine in children aged between six and 35 months old. Two jabs were given to the children.
The results showed that it prevented 90 percent of cases of hand, foot and mouth disease caused by EV71.
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"Infection with EV71 is of particular concern because it can cause severe disease and even death in children. The EV71 vaccine could help prevent hospital admissions and severe cases," the researchers said.
Hand, foot and mouth disease is caused by many other viruses, such as Coxsackievirus A16 and even other strains of EV71, so this vaccine could not eliminate the disease.
The researchers themselves warn that the EV71 vaccine might have little part in reducing the overall incidence of HFMD, even by universal mass immunisation of children.
Commenting on the research, Dr Nigel Crawford and Dr Steve Graham, both from the University of Melbourne, said the vaccine was tailored to the predominant strain in China.
According to them, the major effect of this vaccine will be to reduce hospital admission, which is an important result of many vaccines.
They added that the next step is to assess the appropriateness of including an EV71 vaccine in China's national immunisation programme.