Malaria control in Malawi: measuring real-world impact of RTS,S vaccine and dual‑AI bed nets
Official title: Epidemiology
Funded at Kamuzu University of Health Sciences · NIH-11415205 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tests how well the RTS,S vaccine and dual‑AI long‑lasting insecticidal nets work together to reduce malaria across all stages of the disease in children in Malawi.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Kamuzu University of Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Blantyre, Malawi) |
| Project start | May 15, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $148,654 |
| NIH project number | 5U19AI181588-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11415205 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children in Malawi who live in areas where RTS,S vaccination and dual‑AI nets are being implemented (approximately during the mass distribution period).
✕Less likely to help
Children in areas without RTS,S vaccination or dual‑AI nets, or those not exposed to the interventions, may see no direct benefit.
What this research studies
In Malawi, researchers will look at how a malaria vaccine and new bed nets affect different malaria outcomes, from infection to severe disease, in real-world conditions. They will use enhanced health-center data and hospital records to track changes over time, including age-specific effects. The study will combine population-level analysis with detailed follow-up on individuals to understand how exposure and naturally acquired immunity interact. Data collection will align with the 2026 mass distribution of the dual‑AI nets to assess impact during that rollout.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could guide malaria prevention strategies and optimize vaccine and bed net programs to reduce illness and hospital visits in children.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown impact of vaccines and nets separately; this project evaluates their combined real-world effects, which is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Kamuzu University of Health Sciences
Blantyre, Malawi Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cohee, Lauren M — Kamuzu University of Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Cohee, Lauren M
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.