Bousse

This research aims to assess the effectiveness and safety of the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine in children. It focuses on how well the vaccine protects against severe malaria and clinical malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum in areas with high transmission. The study also evaluates whether receiving the R21 vaccine affects the risk of death from any cause. Children who have clinical malaria, severe malaria, or have died will be enrolled as cases, and matched controls from the community will be included for comparison. The study is conducted at multiple centers in countries where the R21/Matrix-M vaccine has been approved and is being used. Cases of malaria and deaths are identified from hospitals and clinics, while controls matched by age and neighborhood are recruited from the community. For each severe malaria or death case, four matched controls are enrolled, while clinical malaria cases have one matched control each. Vaccination status will be verified using official records or parental reports. Field staff may visit homes to collect necessary data. Participants will have their vaccination status and medical history reviewed, with data collected from hospital records, immunization cards, and interviews. The study measures vaccine effectiveness against severe malaria, clinical malaria, and all-cause death over about one year. Researchers will also explore vaccine effectiveness in hospitalized malaria cases. Parental consent and cooperation are required, and the study involves ongoing monitoring and data collection in the participants' communities and healthcare settings.