In 2018, Malawi became the first country to use the typhoid conjugate vaccine to fight typhoid infections in children in a clinical trial by MLW. Five years later, there was a reason to smile when the results of the clinical trial bore fruit, and the vaccine was successfully launched and administered to children between 9 months and 14 years in a mass immunisation campaign countrywide.

Priyanka Patel, who took part in the clinical trial of the typhoid conjugate vaccine, highlighted the importance of the vaccine, “Typhoid fever is a potentially life-threatening bacterial infection; children are among the most vulnerable. It imposes a catastrophic burden on almost half of the households in Malawi. If a family member contracts the disease, it can lead to significant financial strain. Children who get typhoid fever may miss out on school or other important activities, which can have a negative impact on their education and overall well-being.

The emergence of resistant strains of typhoid fever poses a significant challenge, and the most effective solution at present is the use of vaccines. A typhoid vaccine is an essential tool not only for controlling the spread of typhoid fever but also improving the health and well-being of children in Malawi and combating the international spread of antimicrobial resistance.”

Over 28,000 children from 9 months to 12 years of age took part in the typhoid vaccine clinical trial in Malawi in 2018. The clinical trial was led by Professor Melita Gordon, and it found that the vaccine was safe and was more than 80% effective.