This is a cluster randomized trial to determine the impact of seasonal R21/MM mass vaccination (all ages) on malaria transmission and morbidity. Fifty-four villages (30 in The Gambia and 24 in Burkina Faso) will be randomized to either mass vaccination with R21 or no mass vaccination. The primary objective is to compare in intervention and control clusters the prevalence of malaria (all age groups) at peak transmission after seasonal mass vaccination with R21 (3 monthly doses). Secondary objectives are: 1. To assess the safety and tolerability of R21 through spontaneously reported adverse events. 2. To compare in intervention and control clusters the incidence of malaria infection (all age groups) during the malaria transmission season following seasonal mass vaccination with R21 (3 monthly doses). 3. To compare in intervention and control clusters the incidence of clinical malaria (all age groups) after seasonal mass vaccination with R21 (3 monthly doses). 4. To compare in intervention and control clusters the prevalence of malaria (all age groups) at peak transmission after one booster dose of R21. 5. To compare in intervention and control clusters the incidence of malaria infection (all age groups) during the malaria transmission season following one booster dose of R21. 6. To compare in intervention and control clusters the incidence of clinical malaria (all age groups), after one booster dose of R21. 7. To determine the coverage of seasonal mass vaccination with R21 (primary series of three vaccinations and booster) in intervention clusters and related socio-cultural factors 8. To estimate the cost of seasonal mass vaccination with R21 administration. 9. To estimate the cost-effectiveness of seasonal mass vaccination with R21 compared to standard malaria control measures. The exploratory objective is to determine whether serological markers can detect changes in malaria transmission following mass vaccination with R21.
This is a cluster-randomized controlled trial. Fifty-four villages (30 in The Gambia and 24 in Burkina Faso) will be randomized to either mass vaccination with R21 or no mass vaccination. Therefore,15 medium-sized (200-600 people) villages in The Gambia and 12 medium-sized (200-600 people) villages in Burkina Faso will receive the intervention. All study villages will receive standard control intervention, e.g., seasonal malaria chemoprevention, insecticide-treated bed nets, implemented by the National Malaria Control Program and according the National Strategic Plan for malaria control. Mass vaccination will be completed before the start of the malaria transmission season, i.e. July. A cross-sectional survey to estimate malaria prevalence will be implemented at peak transmission, both following the mass vaccination with 3 doses (first year) and the booster dose (second year). A blood sample will be collected during the malaria transmission season from a cohort of randomly selected individuals to determine the incidence of malaria infection. A system of passive case detection to determine the incidence of clinical malaria will be set up throughout the study period, with special attention to the malaria transmission season (July-December).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
16,200
A mixture of R21/Matrix M at a dose of 5 μg (for children up to 14 years of age) or 10 μg ( for individuals ≥ 15 years old) with 50 μg of Matrix-M will be administered monthly over 3 months (one dose per month over 3 months (May, June, and July 2024) plus a booster dose in June 2025.
Clinical Research Unit of Nanoro, Burkina Faso
Nanoro, Burkina Faso
RECRUITINGMRC Unit The Gambia at LSHTM
Fajara, The Gambia
RECRUITINGPrevalence of malaria infection by PCR in all age groups at peak transmission season (October-November) following the first vaccination with 3 doses.
A cross-sectional survey will be conducted at peak transmission in October -November 2024 to determine prevalence of malaria infection.
Time frame: At 6 months ( October - November 2024) post first round of vaccination
Occurrence of Adverse Events (AEs) during follow up.
1. Occurrence of solicited local and/or systemic reactogenicity 2. Occurrence of unsolicited adverse events 3. Occurrence of abnormal hematology and biochemistry parameters ( clinically significant values) 4. Occurrence of serious adverse events ( throughout the trial)
Time frame: Up to 28 days post vaccination
Incidence of malaria infection in all age groups during the transmission season following mass vaccination with R21
Incidence of malaria infection will be determined by molecular analyses (PCR) in a cohort of 20 individuals per village in Burkina Faso and 30 individuals per villages in The Gambia through monthly home visits ( following mass vaccination with R21).
Time frame: Up to 6 months post the third vaccination round
Incidence of clinical malaria in all age groups following mass vaccination with R21.
A passive case detection of clinical malaria throughout the study period, with special attention to the malaria transmission season (July-December)
Time frame: Up to 6 months post the third vaccination round
Prevalence of malaria infection by PCR in all age groups at peak transmission following the booster dose.
A cross-sectional survey will be conducted at peak transmission in October -November 2025 to determine prevalence of malaria infection.
Time frame: At 6 months ( October - November 2025) post booster dose
Incidence of malaria infection in all age groups during the transmission season following the booster dose.
Incidence of malaria infection will be determined by molecular analyses (PCR) in a cohort of 20 individuals per village in Burkina Faso and 30 individuals per villages in The Gambia through monthly home visits ( following the booster dose).
Time frame: Up to 6 months post booster dose
Incidence of clinical malaria in all age groups following the booster dose.
Passive detection of clinical malaria both at the community and at health facility level
Time frame: Up to 6 months post the third vaccination round
Coverage of completed vaccination schedule (3 doses) during the mass vaccination with 3 doses.
Coverage of completed vaccination schedule (3 doses) during the mass vaccination with 3 doses.
Time frame: Up to 4 weeks post the third vaccination round
Coverage of at least one vaccine dose administered during the mass vaccination with 3 doses
Coverage of at least one vaccine dose
Time frame: Up to 4 weeks post the third vaccination round
Coverage of the booster dose
Coverage of the booster dose
Time frame: Up to 4 weeks post booster dose
Cost of vaccine administration and cost effectiveness, both for the mass vaccination campaign with 3 doses and the booster dose.
A cross sectional survey will be carried out at the beginning of the project in both study arms to estimate the cost of seeking care among households and the costs supported by the health facility. Cost of mass vaccination will be collected for each round.
Time frame: Up to 6 months post booster dose
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