Representatives from the Kilifi County Referral Hospital, KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, BRAVE GCC and ACC engage in discussion during a tour of the Hospital. Photo Credit: Juliet Odhiambo, KWTRP Engagement Program
Kilifi, Kenya – In a significant step toward enhancing vaccine safety monitoring across the continent, members of the BRAVE Global Coordinating Centre (GCC) and Africa Coordinating Centre (ACC) recently concluded a successful five-day technical visit to the Kenya BRAVE study site in Kilifi.
From March 2–6, 2026, members of the GCC and ACC joined the Kenya BRAVE Site Team, other scientists from the KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme (KWTRP), and collaborators at the Kilifi County Referral Hospital (KCRH). The visit focused on enhancing the understanding of how data systems interact, reviewing field operations, and ensuring the BRAVE project continues to deliver accurate, context-relevant insights on vaccine safety monitoring.
Integration and Innovation on the Ground
The visit went beyond high-level strategy, moving directly into the health facility and communities where data are born. The team conducted deep-dive reviews into how the BRAVE project integrates with KWTRP-established Kilifi Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) and hospital Electronic Health Records (EHR).
By joining field staff in the community, the global team observed firsthand how background rate data are captured in real-time, ensuring that the project’s technical framework aligns with day-to-day clinical operations.
“Hosting the BRAVE global and Africa teams provided a vital opportunity to showcase the strength of our local systems,” said Dr Wangeci Kagucia, BRAVE Site Lead, KWTRP. “By bridging the gap between global technical standards and the practical realities of our setting, we are striving to collect quality background rate data that will inform vaccine safety monitoring in Kenya, the wider African region, and the world.”
Enhancing Data Quality through Collaboration
At the Kilifi County Referral Hospital, the team reviewed clinical workflows and data management systems to ensure the highest levels of accuracy. This rigorous approach to data quality is a hallmark of the BRAVE study, ensuring the project’s findings provide a dependable foundation for future immunization policies
As the BRAVE project continues to expand its footprint, the success of the Kilifi BRAVE site visit serves as a blueprint for future collaborations.
The BRAVE project remains steadfast in its mission: supporting collaborating sites to generate high-quality data that empower African nations to make informed, evidence-based decisions on vaccine safety.
The BRAVE project is a multi-country initiative dedicated to strengthening vaccine safety surveillance systems across Africa. Through partnership, technical innovation, and local capacity building, BRAVE ensures that immunization programs are backed by robust, real-world data.