There were two landmark studies (both published in the highest ranking medical journal globally-
These data will be used to inform WHO policy on maternal influenza vaccine prioritisation. Following this study, the South African National Advisory Group for Immunization has recommended that pregnant women be prioritised for influenza vaccination in South Africa.
Also, the Chair was an investigator on a study which has now documented the impact which the introduction of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in childhood immunization program has had in young infants and in older unvaccinated age-
Also, this study shows that the impact of the introduction of this vaccine in SA, which was led by the Chairs previous work, will contribute toward reducing morbidity in HIV-
Furthermore, the Chair supervised a PhD student in the first study from Africa to show the effectiveness of the
introduction of rotavirus vaccine (which was also championed through past work of the Chair) has had on diarrheal hospitalization. This was published in the number-
The research staff of the Chair also received awards for the Best Oral presentation and Best Poster presentation at the Faculty of Health Sciences Biennial Research Day (Univ of the Witwatersrand). Furthermore, the Chair was recognised for having published the highest number (n=29) of peer-
During the 2014 reporting period, the Chair also received grants to the value of R98 million from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, for research focused on improving child health during early infancy through vaccination of pregnant women.
Research Achievements
VPD/RMPRU
11th Floor Central West Wing
Nurses Residence
Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital
Diepkloof, Soweto
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