PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Anyebe, Victor AU - Adegbite, Olutunde A AU - Tiamiyu, Abdulwasiu B AU - Mohammed, Samirah S AU - Ugwuezumba, Oscar AU - Akinde, Cassandra B AU - Agu, Norah AU - Osuji, Anthonia AU - Oyerinde, Olusanya O AU - Agbaim, Uzoamaka C AU - Parker, Zahra F AU - Akinwale, Edward A AU - McCauley, Melanie AU - Broach, Erica AU - Mebrahtu, Tsedal AU - Akiga, Roseline AU - Okeke, Ndubuisi AU - Lombardi, Kara AU - Eller, Leigh A AU - Fan, Ying AU - Reynolds, Alexus AU - Chama, Bwalya AU - Colt, Susannah AU - Prins, Petra AU - Amare, Mihret AU - Ayemoba, Ojor R AU - Okeji, Nathan AE AU - King, David R AU - Hakre, Shilpa AU - Crowell, Trevor A AU - Modjarrad, Kayvon AU - Vasan, Sandhya AU - Collins, Natalie D AU - Iroezindu, Michael O AU - , TI - PA-384 Lassa fever vaccine trial preparedness: preliminary findings of a targeted community-based epidemiologic study in Nigeria AID - 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-EDC.180 DP - 2023 Dec 01 TA - BMJ Global Health PG - A73--A74 VI - 8 IP - Suppl 10 4099 - http://gh.bmj.com/content/8/Suppl_10/A73.2.short 4100 - http://gh.bmj.com/content/8/Suppl_10/A73.2.full SO - BMJ Global Health2023 Dec 01; 8 AB - Background Developing a vaccine to prevent Lassa Fever (LF), caused by Lassa virus (LASV), is a World Health Organization priority. We describe preliminary findings of a LASV epidemiologic study in Nigeria to inform preparation for CEPI/EDCTP funded phase 2 LF vaccine trial. Methods We conducted a community-based cross-sectional study at 10 randomly-selected primary healthcare centers in Abuja Municipal Area Council (n=6) and Ikorodu (n=4). A total of 630 participants aged ≥ 18 years were enrolled between February-September 2022. Socio-demographics, willingness to participate in a future LF vaccine trial, and knowledge of LF were assessed in questionnaires. Blood and urine samples were collected for laboratory analyses, including LASV antibody assays using Zalgen ReLASV Pan-Lassa Combo NP/Prefusion GP IgG/IgM ELISA kits. Results Of 630 participants, 434 (69%) were female and the median age was 38 years (interquartile range 28–50). LASV IgG seropositivity was detected in 51 of 176 (29.0%) participants so far tested; further testing is underway. Most participants (87%) were knowledgeable about LF and radio/television was the most commonly reported source of information (63%). Willingness to participate in a future LF vaccine trial was affirmed by 580 (93%) participants and 99.7% (574/576) were willing to provide biological samples. Potential protection from LF was the most common reason for willingness to participate (78%). Among 22 (4%) unwilling participants, the most common reason was fear of harm by the vaccine (36%). Conclusion Our findings suggest substantial LASV exposure and eagerness to participate in a LF vaccine trial in two Nigerian locations with previously limited epidemiologic data. Radio and television-based messaging that emphasizes the safety of vaccine trial participation and the potential protective value of a licensed LF vaccine may improve recruitment for the imminent phase 2a LF vaccine trial in Abuja, Nigeria.