How early malaria prevention affects school-age children's malaria risk
Impact of early childhood malaria prevention on malaria risk at school entry (ERASE)
Researchers are comparing whether monthly seasonal malaria drugs and the RTS,S vaccine given in early childhood change malaria risk when children start school.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11395028 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If your child lived in parts of Ghana where they gave monthly seasonal malaria medicines (SMC) or the RTS,S vaccine as a toddler, this project looks at kids entering school to see who has malaria infections and immune responses. The team combines local vaccine rollout and SMC records with ongoing surveillance to compare children from districts that received one, both, or neither intervention. Participants provide health information and blood samples so researchers can measure infections, antibodies, and disease episodes at ages about 5–15. The goal is to learn whether early protection changes later immunity or makes malaria more or less common when children reach school age.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Children roughly 5–15 years old who lived in the Ghana districts where SMC and/or RTS,S were implemented and whose families can provide health information and blood samples would be ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Adults, children outside the study areas, or children who never received SMC or RTS,S are unlikely to be included or directly benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the results could guide malaria programs on the best use of SMC and RTS,S to protect kids both early and later in childhood.
How similar studies have performed: SMC and the RTS,S vaccine have each reduced malaria in young children in prior work, but comparing their combined or long-term effects at school age is a newer question.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- University of Maryland Baltimore — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Harrison, Shannon Takala — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Harrison, Shannon Takala
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.