Following the successful launch in Mali, the IMVACS clinical trial has taken a significant step forward in Burkina Faso. On June 12th 2025, vaccination officially began in the control arm of the study in the Boussé district.
This important step comes after several weeks of intensive preparation. From May 26th–28th 2025, Site Initiation Visits were conducted, accompanied by staff training sessions. A first round of community sensitization took place from June 5th– 6th, 2025, to engage local populations and ensure strong community participation.
In Burkina Faso, unlike Mali, vaccination is administered exclusively at health facilities. Mothers bring their children to the nearest Centre de Santé to receive their vaccines. No outreach or alternative delivery strategies are implemented. To ensure alignment with the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI), both training and sensitization activities followed national EPI protocols and tools.
The vaccination will cover 10 health areas within the Boussé district:
Golmidou, Gonsin, Koui, Lao, Mouni, Sandogo Boussé, Sanon, Sao, Sourgoubila, and Zeguedeghin.
The launch was marked by the presence of Dr. Natama H. Magloire from Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique et Technologique / Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (CNRST/IRSS), who is both the Principal Investigator for Burkina Faso trial site and the Scientific Coordinator of the IMVACS project. His presence provided valuable support to the launch.
The start of the control arm vaccination was met with great enthusiasm and strong collaboration. Preparations are now underway for the intervention arm, which is scheduled to begin on July 24th 2025.
