Interactions between COVID-19, malaria and other infections that impact vaccine immunity in Malawi

Major infectious diseases such as malaria, COVID-19 and other respiratory infections have a major health impact in populations in Africa. This is partly due to the moderate efficacy of vaccines being implemented in many countries, as well as waning immunity and incomplete vaccine coverage.

Vaccines against COVID-19 and other diseases can lead to varying levels of protection among different individuals and populations. The longevity of the immune response, or how long the vaccine lasts, can also vary.

Knowledge on vaccine immunity in African populations, and factors that impact immunity, is limited but still important for controlling and preventing major infectious diseases such as COVID-19 and malaria.

Repeated exposure to malaria, intestinal parasites and respiratory viruses, as well as specific nutritional deficiencies, are common in Sub-Saharan Africa. These factors can impact both innate and adaptive immunity to influence the magnitude and longevity of vaccine-induced immunity.