Shabir Madhi

Shabir Madhi is Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Professor of Vaccinology at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. He is also co-founder and co-Director of the African Leadership Initiative for Vaccinology Expertise (ALIVE) and Director of the South African Medical Research Council Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Analytical Research Unit (VIDA). Professor Madhi serves as Deputy-Chair of the World Health Organisation Scientific Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) and is a member of the National Advisory Group on Immunization in South Africa.

Professor Madhi's research has focused on the epidemiology and clinical development of lifesaving vaccines against pneumonia and diarrheal disease. Over the past decade, his work has concentrated on vaccines for immunization of pregnant women for the benefit of both women and their young infants. He led the first two COVID-19 vaccine studies undertaken in Africa and has been involved in multiple clinical and serology epidemiology studies on COVID-19. His extensive publication record (over 650 scientific publications since 1997 with an H-index of 103) demonstrates expertise across vaccinology, epidemiology, maternal immunization, and infectious disease prevention.

His recent research spans multiple areas including pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, respiratory syncytial virus prevention, group B streptococcus colonization, and child mortality surveillance. His work frequently appears in top-tier journals including The Lancet, Nature, and New England Journal of Medicine, demonstrating the global impact of his research.

Professor Madhi's leadership extends to major global health initiatives, particularly through his roles in WHO SAGE and the African Leadership Initiative for Vaccinology Expertise. His work bridges clinical research, public health implementation, and policy development, with a strong focus on addressing health challenges in African settings.