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Wits RHI

OptiMVacc-SA

Vaccine Preventable Diseases

OptiMVacc-SA: Optimizing Maternal Vaccinations in South Africa

The OptiM-Vacc-SA project aims to evaluate the current landscape of maternal vaccine delivery in South Africa and provide recommendations for strengthening health systems. This initiative focuses on optimizing the delivery of existing maternal vaccines while preparing for the introduction of new vaccines. Implemented across six facilities in Johannesburg, Tshwane, and Mthatha, the project captures insights from urban, peri-urban, and rural populations.

Primary Objectives:

  1. Evaluation of Vaccine Uptake: Assess the uptake, timing, and completeness of currently recommended maternal vaccines (including COVID-19 vaccines) among pregnant women at six antenatal care (ANC) facilities in Inner City Johannesburg, Tshwane, and Mthatha. The study will quantify existing knowledge and identify prevalent vaccine-related myths and misinformation.
  2. Comparison of Tetanus Vaccines: Compare the uptake, timing, and completeness of Tetanus Toxoid versus Tdap vaccines among pregnant women enrolled in a large pregnancy registry cohort from January 2022 to June 2024 across Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and Western Cape.
  3. Exploration of Knowledge and Attitudes: Investigate the knowledge, attitudes, barriers, and facilitators concerning access and delivery of maternal vaccines (including COVID-19) among pregnant women, key influencers, healthcare workers, policymakers, and program managers. The project aims to identify barriers, facilitators, and health system strengthening needs at select ANC facilities.
  4. Roadmap Development: Create a comprehensive roadmap detailing the necessary activities for effective current and future maternal vaccine delivery, incorporating stakeholder engagement and demand creation messaging across the health system value chain (planning, supply chain management, data-driven decision-making, monitoring, and evaluation).

Investigators

Co-Principal Investigators

  • Dr Catherine Martin
  • Dr Mrinmayee Dhar

Sub-Investigators

  • Prof Lee Fairlie
  • Prof Saiqa Mullick
  • Shobna Sawry
  • Dr Elizea Horne
  • Jeanne Coetzee
  • Florence Mathebula
  • Siphokazi Dada

Latest Update

October 2024

For more about OptiMVacc-SA project please email rhicomms@wrhi.ac.za

Click here for further details regarding the OptiMVacc-SA project.

Project Brief - OptiMVacc-SA Project