The Typhoid Vaccine Acceleration Consortium (TyVAC), led by UMSOM’s Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, works to decrease the burden of typhoid by accelerating the introduction of TCVs in high-risk countries.

Typhoid is a public health crisis in Niger, affecting an estimated 333 individuals per 100,000 persons annually. Diagnosing typhoid is challenging in Niger due to limited blood culture capability, often leading to significant delays in treatment. As a result, many patients develop typhoid intestinal perforation (TIP), a severe and morbid complication of typhoid. Consequently, surgeons frequently identify cases of typhoid in the operating room.

On July 22, 2023, surgeons, and other medical professionals from across Niger gathered with local and international typhoid experts including from CVD and Minister of Health representatives for the first National Typhoid Conference in Niamey, Niger. The conference focused on surgical complications of typhoid and emphasized the importance of advocating for the introduction of typhoid conjugate vaccine (TCV) along with improved water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). Data from this conference will inform country level decisions on TCV introduction.