Meeting report: CEPI workshop on Rift Valley fever epidemiology and modeling to inform human vaccine development, Nairobi, 4–5 June 2024

Radhika Gharpure; Carolin Vegvari; Alemseged Abdissa; Yewande Alimi; Assaf Anyamba; Jochen Auerbach; Bernard Bett; Brian H. Bird; Ndeye Sakha Bob; J. Gabrielle Breugelmans; Jessica Clark; Sarah Cleaveland; Jakob Cramer; Jeanette Dawa; Petra C. Fay; Pierre Formenty; Volker Gerdts; Keli N. Gerken; John Gitonga; Martin Groschup; James Heighway; Sherry Ama Mawuko Johnson; John Juma; Rebekah C. Kading; Maureen Kamau; Samuel Kerama; Baratang Alison Lubisi; Julius Lutwama; Dick Luyimbazi; Dadi Marami; Sean M. Moore; Mathew Muturi; Grace Mwangoka; Angela Ndiu; M. Kariuki Njenga; Richard Njouom; Luke Nyakarahuka; Serge Nzietchueng; Paul Oloo; Mark Otiende; Samuel Oyola; Lodovico Samuele Paganini; Pranav S. Pandit; Carine Punt; Abdallah M. Samy; Silvia Situma; Heidi Sneddon; Quirine A. ten Bosch; Seda Tezcan-Ulger; Peter N. Thompson; Mike Tildesley; Bachirou Tinto; Juan F. Vesga; Paul P. Wichgers Schreur; Peter Hart

doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.126860

Meeting report: CEPI workshop on Rift Valley fever epidemiology and modeling to inform human vaccine development, Nairobi, 4–5 June 2024

Radhika Gharpure, Carolin Vegvari, Alemseged Abdissa, Yewande Alimi, Assaf Anyamba, Jochen Auerbach, Bernard Bett, Brian H. Bird, Ndeye Sakha Bob, J. Gabrielle Breugelmans, Jessica Clark, Sarah Cleaveland, Jakob Cramer, Jeanette Dawa, Petra C. Fay, Pierre Formenty, Volker Gerdts, Keli N. Gerken, John Gitonga, Martin GroschupJames Heighway, Sherry Ama Mawuko Johnson, John Juma, Rebekah C. Kading, Maureen Kamau, Samuel Kerama, Baratang Alison Lubisi, Julius Lutwama, Dick Luyimbazi, Dadi Marami, Sean M. Moore, Mathew Muturi, Grace Mwangoka, Angela Ndiu, M. Kariuki Njenga, Richard Njouom, Luke Nyakarahuka, Serge Nzietchueng, Paul Oloo, Mark Otiende, Samuel Oyola, Lodovico Samuele Paganini, Pranav S. Pandit, Carine Punt, Abdallah M. Samy, Silvia Situma, Heidi Sneddon, Quirine A. ten Bosch, Seda Tezcan-Ulger, Peter N. Thompson, Mike Tildesley, Bachirou Tinto, Juan F. Vesga, Paul P. Wichgers Schreur, Peter Hart

Department of Veterinary Medicine

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a zoonotic viral disease that causes epidemics and epizootics among humans and livestock, resulting in substantial health and socioeconomic consequences. Currently, there are no RVF vaccines licensed for humans, but several candidates show promise in early-stage development. Existing gaps in RVF epidemiological data and challenges associated with predicting RVF outbreak risk complicate the planning of efficacy studies, making the pathway to licensure for promising candidates unclear. In June 2024, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) convened a two-day workshop in Nairobi, Kenya, to discuss RVF epidemiology, modeling priorities, and specific gaps relevant to human RVF vaccine development. The workshop included representatives from multiple RVF-endemic countries, key global collaborators, and international health organizations. Workshop participants identified five key priorities: (1) Looking beyond outbreaks: There is a need to better characterize the complex One Health epidemiology of RVF and understand interepidemic persistence of the virus; (2) Better data for better models: Epidemiological modeling is crucial for research, prediction, and planning, but it requires accurate and representative data; (3) New, improved and accessible diagnostics and serological assays: These are needed to inform epidemiology and case definitions, without which RVF research will continue to suffer due to paucity of data and challenges in determining infection and exposure; (4) Defining use cases, regulatory pathways, and implementation strategies for human vaccines: Clarity on these topics will facilitate licensure and effective use of RVF vaccines; and (5) People-centered approaches: Community engagement and involvement of social and behavioral scientists are key to the success of human vaccine research and development and implementation, particularly as the virus impacts livestock and livelihoods. Workshop participants welcomed a renewed focus for RVF epidemiology and modeling, and expressed enthusiasm for continued multidisciplinary collaborations to support enabling sciences for human RVF vaccine research and development.

Original language	English
Article number	126860
Journal	Vaccine
Volume	54
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.126860
Publication status	Published - 30 Apr 2025

Keywords

Research and development
Rift Valley fever
Vaccine development

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.126860

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Gharpure, R., Vegvari, C., Abdissa, A., Alimi, Y., Anyamba, A., Auerbach, J., Bett, B., Bird, B. H., Bob, N. S., Breugelmans, J. G., Clark, J., Cleaveland, S., Cramer, J., Dawa, J., Fay, P. C., Formenty, P., Gerdts, V., Gerken, K. N., Gitonga, J., ... Hart, P. (2025). Meeting report: CEPI workshop on Rift Valley fever epidemiology and modeling to inform human vaccine development, Nairobi, 4–5 June 2024. Vaccine, 54, Article 126860. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.126860

@article{3db237b6505842ae84663647844ee019,

title = "Meeting report: CEPI workshop on Rift Valley fever epidemiology and modeling to inform human vaccine development, Nairobi, 4–5 June 2024",

abstract = "Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a zoonotic viral disease that causes epidemics and epizootics among humans and livestock, resulting in substantial health and socioeconomic consequences. Currently, there are no RVF vaccines licensed for humans, but several candidates show promise in early-stage development. Existing gaps in RVF epidemiological data and challenges associated with predicting RVF outbreak risk complicate the planning of efficacy studies, making the pathway to licensure for promising candidates unclear. In June 2024, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) convened a two-day workshop in Nairobi, Kenya, to discuss RVF epidemiology, modeling priorities, and specific gaps relevant to human RVF vaccine development. The workshop included representatives from multiple RVF-endemic countries, key global collaborators, and international health organizations. Workshop participants identified five key priorities: (1) Looking beyond outbreaks: There is a need to better characterize the complex One Health epidemiology of RVF and understand interepidemic persistence of the virus; (2) Better data for better models: Epidemiological modeling is crucial for research, prediction, and planning, but it requires accurate and representative data; (3) New, improved and accessible diagnostics and serological assays: These are needed to inform epidemiology and case definitions, without which RVF research will continue to suffer due to paucity of data and challenges in determining infection and exposure; (4) Defining use cases, regulatory pathways, and implementation strategies for human vaccines: Clarity on these topics will facilitate licensure and effective use of RVF vaccines; and (5) People-centered approaches: Community engagement and involvement of social and behavioral scientists are key to the success of human vaccine research and development and implementation, particularly as the virus impacts livestock and livelihoods. Workshop participants welcomed a renewed focus for RVF epidemiology and modeling, and expressed enthusiasm for continued multidisciplinary collaborations to support enabling sciences for human RVF vaccine research and development.",

keywords = "Research and development, Rift Valley fever, Vaccine development",

author = "Radhika Gharpure and Carolin Vegvari and Alemseged Abdissa and Yewande Alimi and Assaf Anyamba and Jochen Auerbach and Bernard Bett and Bird, {Brian H.} and Bob, {Ndeye Sakha} and Breugelmans, {J. Gabrielle} and Jessica Clark and Sarah Cleaveland and Jakob Cramer and Jeanette Dawa and Fay, {Petra C.} and Pierre Formenty and Volker Gerdts and Gerken, {Keli N.} and John Gitonga and Martin Groschup and James Heighway and Johnson, {Sherry Ama Mawuko} and John Juma and Kading, {Rebekah C.} and Maureen Kamau and Samuel Kerama and Lubisi, {Baratang Alison} and Julius Lutwama and Dick Luyimbazi and Dadi Marami and Moore, {Sean M.} and Mathew Muturi and Grace Mwangoka and Angela Ndiu and Njenga, {M. Kariuki} and Richard Njouom and Luke Nyakarahuka and Serge Nzietchueng and Paul Oloo and Mark Otiende and Samuel Oyola and Paganini, {Lodovico Samuele} and Pandit, {Pranav S.} and Carine Punt and Samy, {Abdallah M.} and Silvia Situma and Heidi Sneddon and {ten Bosch}, {Quirine A.} and Seda Tezcan-Ulger and Thompson, {Peter N.} and Mike Tildesley and Bachirou Tinto and Vesga, {Juan F.} and {Wichgers Schreur}, {Paul P.} and Peter Hart",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2025",

year = "2025",

month = apr,

day = "30",

doi = "10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.126860",

language = "English",

volume = "54",

journal = "Vaccine",

issn = "0264-410X",

publisher = "Elsevier Ltd.",

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Gharpure, R, Vegvari, C, Abdissa, A, Alimi, Y, Anyamba, A, Auerbach, J, Bett, B, Bird, BH, Bob, NS, Breugelmans, JG, Clark, J, Cleaveland, S, Cramer, J, Dawa, J, Fay, PC, Formenty, P, Gerdts, V, Gerken, KN, Gitonga, J, Groschup, M, Heighway, J, Johnson, SAM, Juma, J, Kading, RC, Kamau, M, Kerama, S, Lubisi, BA, Lutwama, J, Luyimbazi, D, Marami, D, Moore, SM, Muturi, M, Mwangoka, G, Ndiu, A, Njenga, MK, Njouom, R, Nyakarahuka, L, Nzietchueng, S, Oloo, P, Otiende, M, Oyola, S, Paganini, LS, Pandit, PS, Punt, C, Samy, AM, Situma, S, Sneddon, H, ten Bosch, QA, Tezcan-Ulger, S, Thompson, PN, Tildesley, M, Tinto, B, Vesga, JF, Wichgers Schreur, PP & Hart, P 2025, 'Meeting report: CEPI workshop on Rift Valley fever epidemiology and modeling to inform human vaccine development, Nairobi, 4–5 June 2024', Vaccine, vol. 54, 126860. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.126860

TY - JOUR

T1 - Meeting report

T2 - CEPI workshop on Rift Valley fever epidemiology and modeling to inform human vaccine development, Nairobi, 4–5 June 2024

AU - Gharpure, Radhika

AU - Vegvari, Carolin

AU - Abdissa, Alemseged

AU - Alimi, Yewande

AU - Anyamba, Assaf

AU - Auerbach, Jochen

AU - Bett, Bernard

AU - Bird, Brian H.

AU - Bob, Ndeye Sakha

AU - Breugelmans, J. Gabrielle

AU - Clark, Jessica

AU - Cleaveland, Sarah

AU - Cramer, Jakob

AU - Dawa, Jeanette

AU - Fay, Petra C.

AU - Formenty, Pierre

AU - Gerdts, Volker

AU - Gerken, Keli N.

AU - Gitonga, John

AU - Groschup, Martin

AU - Heighway, James

AU - Johnson, Sherry Ama Mawuko

AU - Juma, John

AU - Kading, Rebekah C.

AU - Kamau, Maureen

AU - Kerama, Samuel

AU - Lubisi, Baratang Alison

AU - Lutwama, Julius

AU - Luyimbazi, Dick

AU - Marami, Dadi

AU - Moore, Sean M.

AU - Muturi, Mathew

AU - Mwangoka, Grace

AU - Ndiu, Angela

AU - Njenga, M. Kariuki

AU - Njouom, Richard

AU - Nyakarahuka, Luke

AU - Nzietchueng, Serge

AU - Oloo, Paul

AU - Otiende, Mark

AU - Oyola, Samuel

AU - Paganini, Lodovico Samuele

AU - Pandit, Pranav S.

AU - Punt, Carine

AU - Samy, Abdallah M.

AU - Situma, Silvia

AU - Sneddon, Heidi

AU - ten Bosch, Quirine A.

AU - Tezcan-Ulger, Seda

AU - Thompson, Peter N.

AU - Tildesley, Mike

AU - Tinto, Bachirou

AU - Vesga, Juan F.

AU - Wichgers Schreur, Paul P.

AU - Hart, Peter

PY - 2025/4/30

Y1 - 2025/4/30

N2 - Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a zoonotic viral disease that causes epidemics and epizootics among humans and livestock, resulting in substantial health and socioeconomic consequences. Currently, there are no RVF vaccines licensed for humans, but several candidates show promise in early-stage development. Existing gaps in RVF epidemiological data and challenges associated with predicting RVF outbreak risk complicate the planning of efficacy studies, making the pathway to licensure for promising candidates unclear. In June 2024, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) convened a two-day workshop in Nairobi, Kenya, to discuss RVF epidemiology, modeling priorities, and specific gaps relevant to human RVF vaccine development. The workshop included representatives from multiple RVF-endemic countries, key global collaborators, and international health organizations. Workshop participants identified five key priorities: (1) Looking beyond outbreaks: There is a need to better characterize the complex One Health epidemiology of RVF and understand interepidemic persistence of the virus; (2) Better data for better models: Epidemiological modeling is crucial for research, prediction, and planning, but it requires accurate and representative data; (3) New, improved and accessible diagnostics and serological assays: These are needed to inform epidemiology and case definitions, without which RVF research will continue to suffer due to paucity of data and challenges in determining infection and exposure; (4) Defining use cases, regulatory pathways, and implementation strategies for human vaccines: Clarity on these topics will facilitate licensure and effective use of RVF vaccines; and (5) People-centered approaches: Community engagement and involvement of social and behavioral scientists are key to the success of human vaccine research and development and implementation, particularly as the virus impacts livestock and livelihoods. Workshop participants welcomed a renewed focus for RVF epidemiology and modeling, and expressed enthusiasm for continued multidisciplinary collaborations to support enabling sciences for human RVF vaccine research and development.

AB - Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a zoonotic viral disease that causes epidemics and epizootics among humans and livestock, resulting in substantial health and socioeconomic consequences. Currently, there are no RVF vaccines licensed for humans, but several candidates show promise in early-stage development. Existing gaps in RVF epidemiological data and challenges associated with predicting RVF outbreak risk complicate the planning of efficacy studies, making the pathway to licensure for promising candidates unclear. In June 2024, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) convened a two-day workshop in Nairobi, Kenya, to discuss RVF epidemiology, modeling priorities, and specific gaps relevant to human RVF vaccine development. The workshop included representatives from multiple RVF-endemic countries, key global collaborators, and international health organizations. Workshop participants identified five key priorities: (1) Looking beyond outbreaks: There is a need to better characterize the complex One Health epidemiology of RVF and understand interepidemic persistence of the virus; (2) Better data for better models: Epidemiological modeling is crucial for research, prediction, and planning, but it requires accurate and representative data; (3) New, improved and accessible diagnostics and serological assays: These are needed to inform epidemiology and case definitions, without which RVF research will continue to suffer due to paucity of data and challenges in determining infection and exposure; (4) Defining use cases, regulatory pathways, and implementation strategies for human vaccines: Clarity on these topics will facilitate licensure and effective use of RVF vaccines; and (5) People-centered approaches: Community engagement and involvement of social and behavioral scientists are key to the success of human vaccine research and development and implementation, particularly as the virus impacts livestock and livelihoods. Workshop participants welcomed a renewed focus for RVF epidemiology and modeling, and expressed enthusiasm for continued multidisciplinary collaborations to support enabling sciences for human RVF vaccine research and development.

KW - Research and development

KW - Rift Valley fever

KW - Vaccine development

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=105000023334&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.126860

DO - 10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.126860

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:105000023334

SN - 0264-410X

VL - 54

JO - Vaccine

JF - Vaccine

M1 - 126860

ER -

Meeting report: CEPI workshop on Rift Valley fever epidemiology and modeling to inform human vaccine development, Nairobi, 4–5 June 2024

Abstract

Keywords

UN SDGs

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