Enrollment of participants in a vaccine trial in Africa requires a complex process. The process typically involves community meetings, in-person screenings and interviews, physical exams, and a formal consenting process to ensure that the volunteer or responsible caregiver understands both the trial procedures and the potential risks and benefits. In the case of a “blinded” trial, neither the participants nor those administering the vaccine know who is receiving the candidate vaccine being tested or who is receiving the control vaccine. Using images from malaria vaccine trial sites in Africa, the presentation above offers a view of the process and also illustrates the improvements in health care technology that may follow from the participation of research centers in such trials.

1. Malaria vaccine trials
A journey through the process

2. Before a vaccine
clinical trial begins,
community meetings
are held.

3. Next, potential participants
have in-person screenings
and interviews.

4. Once screenings are complete, physical exams are
administered.
4

5. If children’s parents choose to continue with enrollment in the
vaccine trial, trial staff take them through the consenting process.

6. Consented participants
are then able to receive
the trial or control vaccine.

7. Participants return for check ups
throughout the trial period.

8. If a participant becomes
ill due to any cause,
she or he is treated.
And, thanks to clinical
trials, participants can
be diagnosed using
modern medical
equipment, such as this
digital radiology
machine.

9. The broader community
also benefits from access
to such equipment and
enhanced facilities.
Radiology equipment, for
example, may be located
in a hospital and thus is
accessible to others who
fall ill.

10. Training opportunities for medical staff also end up benefiting the
communities in which trials take place, by helping to attract high-
quality staff who in turn provide higher quality healthcare services.

11. Clinical trials would not be possible, however, were
it not for the community members who volunteer
themselves or their loved ones to participate.
Photos: David Poland and Sally Ethelston, PATH