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. 2022 Aug;22(Spec Issue):34-41.
doi: 10.4314/ahs.v22i2.6S.

Developing capacity for implementation and evaluation of vaccine trials in Uganda: Perspective of the Makerere University Walter Reed Project

Prossy Naluyima  1 , Betty Mwesigwa  1 , Allan Tindikahwa  1 , Stephen Mugamba  1 , Jude Thaddeus Ssensamba  1 , Ezra Musingye  1 , Grace Mirembe  1 , Hannah Kibuuka  1 , Fred Wabwire-Mangen  1   2
Affiliations

Developing capacity for implementation and evaluation of vaccine trials in Uganda: Perspective of the Makerere University Walter Reed Project

Prossy Naluyima et al. Afr Health Sci. 2022 Aug.

Abstract

Introduction: Infectious diseases and neglected tropical diseases continue to be a major challenge in resource limited settings, causing significant morbidity and mortality. Although vaccines are a key biomedical prevention tool, resource limited settings often lack the infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, and skilled human resource to conduct vaccine clinical trials. To address this gap, the Makerere University Walter Reed Project (MUWRP) was established and has contributed to vaccine research in Uganda and globally.

Methods: This was achieved through training a strong vaccine clinical trial workforce; development of requisite clinical trial infrastructure for research activities and management of investigational products; conducting phase I-III vaccine trials and contribution to national ethical and regulatory frameworks that protect participants.

Results: As of 2022, MUWRP had successfully conducted and completed five phase I/II HIV vaccine clinical trials, five for Ebola and Marburg, while one phase I/II Schistosomiasis and one phase III COVTD-19 vaccine clinical trial are ongoing.

Discussion: The completed vaccine trials provided critical scientific knowledge on the safety and immunogenicity of investigational products which informed the design of better vaccines for diseases of global health importance.

Conclusion: Academia, through establishment of appropriate partnerships can contribute to the identification of solutions to complex public health challenges.

Keywords: Vaccines; community participation; developing countries.

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Figures

Picture 1
Picture 1
Dr. Kibuuka (Executive Director) addressing parliamentarians about HIV vaccine research
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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