(Funder: Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, CEPI)

Working in partnership with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Regional Centre for Surveillance and Disease Control (RCSDC), CEPI seeks to enhance the ease of vaccine development and introduction in the region. A critical component of this effort involves supporting ECOWAS-RCSDC to effectively communicate, coordinate, and reinforce Lassa vaccine R&D efforts. In addition to focusing on West Africa, the initiative extends to political intelligence reporting on health trends in Central and East Africa, providing valuable insights for Mpox vaccine R&D in these regions

Nigeria Health Watch, with funding from CEPI, conducted a stakeholder mapping exercise for the Lassa vaccine research and development (R&D) landscape across West Africa. This initiative aims to deepen CEPI’s understanding of the political context within the region through political intelligence reporting. The stakeholder mapping exercise identified significant coordination and communication gaps that hinder progress in Lassa vaccine R&D. Based on the findings, a comprehensive stakeholder engagement plan was developed to address these gaps and strengthen collaboration.