VacSurv

Evaluating the impact of a national pneumococcal and rotavirus vaccine roll-out on child mortality in Mchinji

Project Summary

The 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV-13) and monovalent rotavirus vaccine (RV1) were introduced to the routine infant vaccine schedule in Malawi in November 2011 and October 2012 respectively. Evidence relating to their effectiveness in Sub-Saharan Africa is needed, especially their impact on mortality. 

We are conducting a prospective cohort study in Mchinji district to investigate the impact of these vaccines on all-cause and cause-specific mortality in children aged between 10 weeks and 1 year.

We run a community-based vital events surveillance system, recording all births and deaths of children under the age of 5. We follow all children at 4 months and 1 year to record vaccination and socio-economic status. For all children who die, we conduct a verbal autopsy to ascertain cause of death. 

To date, we have recorded over 40,000 births and 2,000 deaths, in a district of approximately 450,000 residents. Data collection is on-going and results are likely to be reported in the Autumn 2016.