Conference Abstract | Volume 8, Abstract ELIC2025100 (Poster 040) | Published: 31 Jul 2025
Arhyel Malgwi1,&, Onyebuchi Okoro1, Moses Job Tarfa1, Zainab Dambazau1,2, Nsikak Nnam1,2, Yetunde Abioye1,2
1Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Abuja, Nigeria, 2Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Abuja, Nigeria
&Corresponding author: Arhyel Malgwi, Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Abuja, Nigeria, Email: malgwi_arhyel@yahoo.co.uk
Received: 30 May 2025, Accepted: 09 Jun 2025, Published: 31 Jul 2025
Domain: Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Vaccine Development
Keywords: Lassa fever, Vaccine, Africa, Trials
©Arhyel Malgwi et al. Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health (ISSN: 2664-2824). This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution International 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Cite this article: Arhyel Malgwi et al., Systematic review on Lassa fever vaccine development efforts in Africa, 2000 to 2024. Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health. 2025;8(ConfProc5):00184. https://doi.org/10.37432/JIEPH-CONFPRO5-00184
Lassa fever, an acute viral haemorrhagic illness endemic to West Africa, poses a persistent public health threat, with an estimated 100,000 to 300,000 infections and up to 5,000 deaths annually. Transmission occurs primarily through contact with excreta of Mastomys rats and secondary human to human spread, particularly in healthcare settings. Despite decades of outbreaks, no licensed vaccine exists. The World Health Organization classifies Lassa fever as a priority disease, underscoring the urgent need for effective vaccination strategies. This review evaluates the current landscape of Lassa fever vaccine development within the African context, examining progress, challenges, and opportunities for future interventions.
A systematic review was conducted using databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, WHO Clinical Trials Registry, and African Journals Online, focusing on literature from 2000 to 2024. Inclusion criteria comprised studies on Lassa vaccine candidates under preclinical or clinical development involving African institutions or populations. The PRISMA framework guided data extraction and descriptive analysis.
Seventeen Lassa vaccine candidates were identified across various platforms, including viral vectors, mRNA, DNA, and live attenuated vaccines. Four candidates have entered early-stage human trials, notably INO-4500 and rVSV∆G-LASV-GPC. African involvement is growing, with Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Liberia engaged in clinical research. However, challenges persist: weak regulatory frameworks, dependency on external funding, limited cold chain infrastructure, and cultural barriers to vaccine acceptance. Nonetheless, increased global partnerships and ethical trial practices reflect positive momentum.
While Lassa vaccine development is progressing, substantial gaps in infrastructure, funding, and community engagement continue to hinder scale-up in Africa. Sustained investment in African-led research, regulatory strengthening, and strategic partnerships are vital. Positioning African populations at the centre of vaccine efforts will ensure equity, efficacy, and long-term sustainability in combating Lassa fever.
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