The Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Analytics (VIDA) Research Unit of the University of the Witwatersrand, formerly the Respiratory and Meningeal Pathogens Research Unit (RMPRU), has over the past 24 years established itself as an internationally recognised African-led research unit in the field of epidemiology of vaccine preventable diseases, and clinical development of life-saving vaccines. Current focus areas include next generation vaccines against rotavirus and TB, as well as development of novel vaccines targeted at pregnant women to protect their young infants against the leading causes of sepsis (Group B Streptococcus vaccine) and pneumonia (Respiratory Syncytial Virus vaccine) during early infancy. Furthermore, VIDA is one of seven participating units in the multi-country Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) programme, which aims at providing refined estimates as to the causes of stillbirths and under-5 childhood deaths in low-middle income countries (LMICs). In 2020, VIDA embarked on leading the first two COVID-19 vaccine studies being undertaken on the African continent, and has undertaken multiple epidemiological and immunology studies on COVID-19 in health-care workers, adults and pregnant women. The translational research undertaken at VIDA continues to inform local and global policy recommendations on the use of life-saving vaccines in the public immunisation programmes of low-middle income countries.

Life Sciences

Health Care

Research

Wits VIDA Research Unit

Ziyaad Dangor

William C. McMahon

Megan Dempster

Tumisani Gaba

Brandon Ray Jones

Renate Strehlau

David Moore

Alane Izu

Vicky Lynne Baillie

Shabir A. Madhi

Gaurav Kwatra

Courtney Olwagen

Nellie Myburgh

Anthonet Koen

Michelle Groome

The Laboratory Operations Team at Wits VIDA Research Unit is responsible for overseeing the daily functions of the laboratory, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and managing the logistics of clinical trials related to vaccine development. This team, comprised of skilled professionals, conducts vital testing and analyses that support research efforts on infectious diseases and vaccine efficacy, thereby contributing to the advancement of public health initiatives in low-middle income countries. Their work directly supports VIDA's mission to develop innovative vaccines and inform health policies.

Laboratory Operations Team

Clinical Research Team

Data Management Team

Laboratory Operations Team

About

Team members

Other teams at Wits VIDA Research Unit

Clinical Research Team

Data Management Team