The most advanced Lassa fever vaccine candidate is likely to reach market licensure by 2032, according to the 2025 ECOWAS Lassa Fever International Conference (ELFIC) report officially released by the West African Health Organisation (WAHO).
The report, made available to newsmen on Thursday, said the projected timeline would depend on successful completion of clinical development, regulatory processes and other requirements.
The report said that West African countries and partners committed to a collaborative approach to accelerate vaccine development and promote equitable access.
It was estimated that development of the vaccine candidate would cost between 225 million dollars and 340 million dollars.
The report said Ministers of Health and senior health officials from 10 West African countries, alongside development and health partners, agreed on a co-funding model to support the development of the candidate developed by the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI).
The commitment was made at the ministerial roundtable of ELFIC 2025, held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, from Sept. 8 to Sept. 11, 2025.
The conference brought together policymakers, scientists, researchers, public health professionals, development partners and community representatives to strengthen regional cooperation against Lassa fever and other emerging infectious diseases.
The ministers agreed that accelerating vaccine development would require stronger regional and national capacity for clinical trials, laboratory systems, regulatory processes and manufacturing.
They also agreed to support immediate resource mobilisation for Phase 2b and bridging studies needed to advance the candidate towards late-stage development.
The candidate is, therefore, still undergoing clinical development and would require successful completion of further studies before any regulatory approval.
According to the report, the candidate’s development programme includes clinical research in Nigeria, Liberia and Ghana, making the strengthening of research and trial capacity in endemic countries critical to the projected timeline.
The ministers and partners agreed to establish a working group comprising coalition countries, WAHO, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and IAVI to refine a regional funding framework.
The framework is expected to support joint fundraising and improve countries’ preparedness to contribute to later stages of vaccine development.
A regional monitoring mechanism was also proposed to track progress in co-financing and capacity development.
The report further highlighted regulatory capacity as a major requirement for vaccine development and access.
Participants called for stronger regulatory systems and greater harmonisation across countries, including through mechanisms such as the African Vaccine Regulatory Forum (AVAREF).
They also recommended mentoring and capacity-building for local regulators to enable African countries to participate more effectively in vaccine development and approval processes.
The conference identified the establishment and strengthening of clinical trial sites in Lassa-endemic countries as another priority.
Participants said trial sites should be prepared for rapid deployment and supported by adequate laboratory, regulatory and research infrastructure.
The report also highlighted the need to expand African-led vaccine manufacturing capacity.
Participants said establishing regional manufacturing hubs could improve vaccine availability and reduce dependence on external production.
They stressed that vaccine development should be accompanied by long-term financing and sustainable business models for neglected diseases such as Lassa fever.
The report noted that financing should be incorporated from the earliest stages of vaccine development rather than treated as an issue only after a vaccine has been approved.
Community engagement was also identified as critical to the success of future Lassa fever vaccine trials and eventual rollout.
Participants identified fears surrounding blood collection, stigma and concerns about participation in clinical trials as potential barriers.
They called for community engagement to move beyond consultation by incorporating local voices, cultural practices and community perspectives into vaccine research and delivery strategies.
The report said affordability and equitable access should remain guiding principles throughout vaccine development.
The ministers subsequently adopted a Joint Communiqué reaffirming their commitment to accelerated development and equitable access to Lassa fever vaccines and other medical countermeasures.
They also pledged to strengthen national and regional systems for surveillance, diagnosis and outbreak response, while mobilising sustainable financing and political commitment for long-term epidemic preparedness.
Lassa fever remains endemic in Nigeria, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Benin, with recurrent outbreaks reported across the region.
The conference report said delayed detection and limited access to quality healthcare, particularly in rural communities, continued to contribute to the burden of the disease.
It said the development of an effective vaccine would therefore represent an important addition to existing prevention, surveillance and case-management measures.
WAHO said the ELFIC report was intended to serve as a shared reference for strengthening preparedness and response across West Africa.
The report identified six major priorities, including strengthening regional coordination platforms, accelerating Lassa fever vaccine trials and expanding genomic and laboratory surveillance.
It also prioritised community-based surveillance and risk communication, integrating epidemic preparedness into national health financing, and promoting operational research and data sharing.
WAHO said the report was more than a record of the conference, describing it as a resource to support policy development, research, preparedness and greater coordination among ECOWAS Member States and partners.
The organisation encouraged governments, researchers, public health institutions, communities and development partners to use the recommendations to translate conference commitments into practical action.
The ministers and partners said sustained political commitment, predictable financing, regional collaboration and local ownership would be critical to turning the projected 2032 vaccine timeline into an accessible public health intervention for communities affected by Lassa fever.