๐Ÿ›๏ธ Verified NIH Record โ€ข Updated 2026-05-26

COVID-19 Transmission and Morbidity in Malawi (NCT05973084)

๐ŸŸข Recruiting Interventional Protocol ๐Ÿ“Š Observational Clinical Research Sponsor: Boston University

๐Ÿฉบ Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)

SARS-CoV-2 transmission was expected to have a devastating impact in sub-Saharan African countries. Instead, morbidity and mortality rates in nearly the whole region are an order of magnitude lower than in Europe and the Americas. To identify what is different requires a better understanding of the underlying immunological substrate of the population, and how these factors affect susceptibility to infection, progression of symptoms, transmission, and responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. Study objectives 1. Determine the risk and predictors of infection and disease among contacts of SARS-CoV-2 infection subjects in Malawi 2. Determine whether innate immune responses lower the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and disease, and acquisition and duration of vaccine responses. 3. Assess whether alterations in innate immune responses relevant to SARS-CoV-2 are associated with malaria or intestinal parasite infections. 4. Assess the acquisition and longevity of antibodies (Ab) and cellular adaptive responses elicited by SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination. 5. Assess whether malaria and intestinal parasite infections, chronic/mild undernutrition, and anemia mediate alterations in Ab and other adaptive cellular responses to SARS-CoV-2 through innate immune responses or a different unknown mechanism.

Who can join: Review the eligibility criteria below.

Location: BU School of Public Health, Global Health Department โ€” Boston, Massachusetts

Age range: 5 Years to 75 Years

๐Ÿ“‹ "Do I Qualify?" โ€” 1-Minute Self Screener

Instant Checklist

Full eligibility criteria are available on the official NIH protocol. View the criteria โ†—

๐Ÿ“ All Participating Trial Locations (2 Sites)

  • BU School of Public Health, Global Health Department โ€” Boston, Massachusetts
  • Health center โ€” Blantyre,

๐Ÿ“ž Contact the Study Coordinator

Phone: (617) 414-1260

Email: cvalim@bu.edu

Coordinator details come directly from the registered NIH protocol. Confirm the study is still recruiting before traveling.

๐Ÿ’ฐ Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights

  • 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
  • Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA ยง 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
  • Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.

๐Ÿ’ก How to Participate

  1. Check the checklist above to see if you may qualify.
  2. Contact the study coordinator using the phone/email above.
  3. Ask about the visit schedule, what is covered at no cost, and any travel support.
  4. Confirm with your own doctor before making a decision.
๐Ÿ›๏ธ View Official NIH Record โ†—