First Participants Vaccinated in Lassa Fever Vaccine Trial in Ghana

Public health research in Ghana has reached a new milestone with the launch of a Lassa fever vaccine trial led by the University of Oxford. On October 16, 2026, the first participants at the Kintampo Health Research Centre were administered doses of the ChAdOx1 LassaJ vaccine candidate. The study plans to enroll up to 51 healthy adults between the ages of 18-55 to monitor safety and immune responses, representing a vital move toward managing this viral disease.

Since its discovery in Nigeria in 1969, Lassa fever has become a major health concern, affecting hundreds of thousands of people throughout West Africa every year. The virus typically spreads through contact with contaminated household items or food, often causing severe and potentially fatal infections. This Ghanaian trial mirrors an ongoing study in Oxford, UK, and receives support from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) as part of a wider effort to accelerate the creation of effective vaccines.

Success on the ground relies on the close cooperation between international research teams and local health officials. The Kintampo Health Research Centre serves as the hub for this work, offering the expertise and infrastructure required for such a study. Prof. Kwaku Poku Asante, Director of the Centre, highlighted the study’s significance by noting that while Lassa fever is not currently an outbreak in Ghana, the regular movement of people between Ghana and Nigeria makes the research highly relevant. The data gathered here will be essential for shaping future vaccine development.

The potential social and economic benefits of a successful vaccine are substantial. According to modeling from CEPI, a reliable vaccine could save approximately 3,300 lives over the coming decade and reduce the heavy societal costs associated with the disease. Beyond addressing a specific medical need, the trial helps build research capacity within West Africa, fostering local expertise in the management of infectious diseases.

The start of this trial offers a path toward improved health outcomes across the region. As the research continues, the goal remains the development of a licensed vaccine to provide a much-needed tool for prevention. The ongoing partnership between CEPI and its local and international collaborators will be central to making sure that, once a vaccine is proven safe, it reaches the communities where the need is greatest.