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OIn December 2021, IVI and the University of Antananarivo opened the Madagascar Institute for Vaccine Research, also known as the “the University of Antananarivo – International Vaccine Institute Collaborating Center” with a ceremony held at the University of Antananarivo.

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ABOUT THECA

What is the THECA Program?

About THECA

The Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine Introduction in Africa (THECA) program is a groundbreaking initiative aimed at reducing the burden of typhoid fever in Africa by introducing and evaluating typhoid conjugate vaccines (TCVs). It is a collaborative effort involving research institutions, public health organizations, and funding partners to generate critical evidence supporting the inclusion of TCVs in routine immunization programs across typhoid-endemic regions.

Why is THECA Important?

Typhoid fever, caused by Salmonella Typhi, is a severe disease that affects millions of people every year, especially children in low-resource settings. The THECA program is dedicated to tackling this challenge by:

Demonstrating the effectiveness and safety of TCVs.


Assessing the long-term and population-level impact of these vaccines.


Providing cost-effectiveness data to support their use in national immunization programs.

Key Studies and Objectives

THECA includes several studies in African countries, with a focus on real-world vaccine effectiveness:

  • 1. The Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine Effectiveness in Ghana (TyVEGHA) study is the first cluster-randomized trial of TCVs in Africa.
  • 2. Conducted in Asante Akim, Ghana, it involves vaccinating 23,000 children and adolescents (9 months to <16 years) with either Typbar®-TCV or the control vaccine MenAfriVac.
  • 3. The goal is to measure both individual and community-level protection to support national vaccine rollout.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a mass vaccination campaign is underway to assess TCV effectiveness using a cohort study design.

Building on Strong Foundations

THECA leverages data from prior typhoid surveillance efforts, such as:

  • 1. Typhoid Surveillance in Africa Program (TSAP), which identified high rates of typhoid in children under 15. Severe Typhoid in Africa (SETA) program, which continues to track disease trends.
  • 2. These studies highlight the ongoing transmission of typhoid fever in Africa and the urgent need for effective vaccines.

Beyond Vaccines: Capacity Building and Collaboration

THECA also focuses on strengthening local research and public health infrastructure. For example:

  • 1. A new research center in Ghana, established at the Agogo Presbyterian Hospital, supports vaccine trials, disease surveillance, and health economics studies.
  • 2. This center also trains future leaders in vaccine science and epidemiology.

Global Partnerships and Funding

THECA is funded by organizations like the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. It also complements ongoing TCV research by the TyVAC consortium in countries such as Malawi, Bangladesh, and Nepal, contributing to a global understanding of TCVs.

The Goal

THECA aims to provide the data and tools necessary for African nations to adopt TCVs, protecting millions of children from typhoid a vaccine-preventable disease and improving public health across the continent.