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Vaccine and Infectious Diseases Analytics

The Vaccine and Infectious Diseases Analytics Research Unit, based in Diepkloof, Soweto - studies pneumococcal and respiratory viruses like pneumonia and meningitis. The Unit pays special attention to ways of preventing infection in new-born babies. This focus responds to the high respiratory infection-related infant mortality rate.

The Wits VIDA is widely recognised as a leading facility for clinical vaccine trials and post-graduate training.

Key focus areas

  • Studying pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) to help inform its use in low-to-middle income countries;
  • Identifying the links between respiratory viruses and tuberculosis (TB) in community pneumonia outbreaks;
  • Preventing Group B Streptococcus (the leading cause of sepsis in new-borns in South Africa);
  • Diagnosing early-onset and community-acquired sepsis in infants;
  • Vaccinating pregnant women (for Influenza / Flu, Group B Streptococcus, Whooping Cough and Respiratory Syncytial Virus) to protect their babies from early infection;
  • Determining the impact of PCV on pneumococcal disease and pneumonia;
  • Assessing the role of Flu and S. aureus (bacteria found in the nose, respiratory tract and on the skin) in developing pneumonia;
  • Studying the prevention of Group B Streptococcus sepsis in new-borns, Group B Streptococcus colonisation in pregnant women, RSV infections and Whooping Cough infections; and
  • Investigating high-risk groups for developing Flu - including those infected with HIV, pregnant women and adults with TB.


For more information, visit the WITS Vaccine and Infectious Diseases Analytics Research Unit's Website

 

Prof Shabir Madhi
Unit Director
  • +27 11 983 4283
  • shabir.madhi@wits.ac.za