Background Rates of Adverse Events for Vaccine Evaluation in Africa (BRAVE)

Background Rates of Adverse Events for Vaccine Evaluation in Africa (BRAVE)

The International Foundation Against Infectious Disease in Nigeria (IFAIN), in collaboration with the Global Vaccine Data Network (GVDN), has launched the Background Rates of Adverse Events for Vaccine Evaluation in Africa (BRAVE) project in Nigeria, with additional implementation in Ghana, Rwanda, and Kenya.

Officially kicked off at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) in Bauchi, the project aims to establish baseline incidence rates of key health conditions across four Nigerian sites—namely FMC Owo, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, and ATBUTH, which serves as the lead implementation hub.

Over a three-year core implementation period, the project will gather pre-vaccine data. This will be followed by an additional two years of surveillance, making a total span of five years . Data will be collected from patients admitted in pediatrics, obstetrics & gynecology, and internal medicine departments, using a pre-defined list of priority conditions.

A key focus is to prepare for the rollout of Lassa fever vaccines, ensuring that once introduced, any deviations from baseline health data can be confidently assessed as vaccine‑related or incidental.

Beyond surveillance, BRAVE aims to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare framework by building health worker capacity and improving data infrastructure—a strategic step toward advancing the country’s readiness for future vaccine and drug trials.