GACHA ENG

At the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), research has been conducted for several years into the development of a malaria vaccine. Malaria is a tropical infectious disease that can be fatal. Many children still die from malaria each year, particularly in Africa. An effective vaccine could protect these children against malaria.

The LUMC has developed the GA2 parasite. GA2 is a weakened malaria parasite that cannot cause malaria but can induce protection (immunity) against malaria. Previous research at LUMC has shown that administering GA2 through mosquito bites is safe and provides strong protection against malaria infection. Earlier studies have also shown that this protection lasts for at least two years in the majority of participants. In the GACHA study, we aim to investigate whether people are protected against malaria four years after immunization. To do this, we plan to expose previous participants to malaria. We are also looking for several new participants for the control group. They will not receive vaccination but will still be exposed to malaria.