Page 105 - SAMRC Annual Report 2024-2025

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

Vaccines and Infectious
Diseases Analytics

Research Unit

Unit director:
Prof. Shabir Madhi
shabir.madhi@wits.ac.za

Advancing Research Priorities: introduction of new maternal vaccines to prevent
Strategic Objectives and Impact infectious diseases. The project evaluates health
system readiness, conducts situational analyses, and
Wits VIDA is a globally recognized leader in infectious addresses vaccine demand and hesitancy in South
disease research and vaccine development, with a Africa, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Pakistan, and Uganda.
focus on: Epidemiology and vaccine-preventable Coordinated by Wits VIDA, MIRNA partners with
diseases; Clinical trials and vaccine evaluation; LSHTM, Makerere University, Aga Khan University,
Immunology research, particularly in people living LSTM Kenya, and Kintampo Health Research Centre,
with HIV; and Basic science to discover new vaccine providing expertise in epidemiology, vaccinology,
candidates. social science, and health systems.

As a premier clinical trial facility, VIDA has played a The RSV Maternal Immunisation study assesses
pivotal role in vaccine development, leading studies the feasibility of a future phase IV trial for an
that contributed to the licensure of respiratory RSV maternal vaccine in LMICs. It evaluates site
syncytial virus (RSV) pre-fusion F protein vaccine; and capabilities for enrolling pregnant women, tracking
long-acting RSV monoclonal antibody. South Africa birth outcomes, and monitoring RSV-related LRTIs
became the first African country to license the RSV in infants. The study also examines transplacental
vaccine and is at a planning stage for its introduction antibody transfer and site readiness for future trials.
into the public immunisation programme. RSV is Conducted in Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, and South
the leading cause of hospitalisation in children Africa, the study aims to generate critical data for
and contributes to 100,000 deaths globally- mainly RSV maternal vaccination in LMICs, with funding
in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Also, from The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
ongoing studies on reduced dosing schedule of
pneumococcal conjugate vaccine have provided VIDA's Child Health and Mortality Surveillance
evidence for the adoption of such a strategy, which Study (CHAMPS) provides valuable data to inform
will be more cost-effective and reduce the number policy, planning, and clinical practice, shared with
of injectables. Wits-VIDA is also leading the clinical the Provincial and District Department of Health and
development of a Group B streptococcus vaccine Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital.
for pregnant women, to protect their young
infants against invasive bacterial disease. GBS is a Building Capacity Through
leading cause of neonatal sepsis, with South Africa Training, Mentorship, and Support
consistently reporting the highest incidence globally.
Wits VIDA continues to play a key role in
training, mentorship, and postgraduate support,
Key Milestones and Achievements strengthening research expertise locally and
The Maternal Immunisation Readiness Network in internationally. During the reporting period, two
Africa and Asia (MIRNA) aims to prepare countries PhD students graduated, while Wits VIDA further
in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia for the supported 10 other students.

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