Africa Medical and Behavioral Sciences Organization
The Africa Medical and Behavioral Sciences Organization (AMBSO) is proud to announce that our investigator, Dr. Gertrude Nakigozi, represented the organization at the 7th International Vaccine Congress (IVC 2026) held in Rome, Italy.
The congress brought together leading researchers, clinicians, policymakers, and industry experts from around the world to share scientific advancements and innovative approaches to improving vaccine research, development, and delivery.
During the conference, Dr. Nakigozi presented two accepted abstracts exploring perinatal vaccine attitudes in Uganda, contributing to the global conversation on maternal immunization.
Her oral presentation, titled "Beyond Confidence: The Role of Perceived Need and Barriers in Perinatal Vaccine Hesitancy in Uganda," examined how factors beyond vaccine confidence such as perceived need and practical barriers to access shape vaccination decisions among pregnant women.
She also presented a poster authored by Prof. Amanda Miller, "Complacency and Convenience Remain Linked Despite High Vaccine Confidence," which highlights that even where confidence in vaccines is high, addressing convenience and reducing access barriers remain essential for improving maternal vaccine uptake.
These presentations showcase the importance of generating locally relevant evidence to inform policies and interventions that strengthen maternal immunization programs in Uganda and similar settings.
The research is the result of a collaborative partnership between AMBSO and San Diego State University (SDSU), co-led by Prof. Amanda Miller and supported by Merck. This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to advancing research that improves health outcomes through evidence-based solutions.
AMBSO congratulates Dr. Gertrude Nakigozi, Prof. Amanda Miller, and all collaborators on this achievement. Their work continues to strengthen the evidence base needed to support equitable and effective vaccine programs in Uganda and beyond.
