WILLINGNESS TO PAY FOR HYPOTHETICAL MALARIA VACCINES IN THE GAMBIA

AIMS: This study aims to set priorities for anti disease Malaria Vaccines by determining the household Head and already diagnosed Malaria patients their preferences for the Vaccine
METHODS: A bidding game technique was used to elucidate Willingness to pay in The Gambia and one hundred Household heads and one hundred already diagnosed Malaria patients were interviewed.
RESULTS: People that are highly educated are more willing to pay than those who are less. House hold heads around 30s were more willing to pay than those in their 40s. Monogamy household heads were also willing to pay than polygamy household heads. Those that stay in the area less than 20 years were willing to pay more than those that spend their entire life in a particular place. Those that earn more were willing to pay more than those that earn less.
CONCLUSIONS: While Malaria continues to be a problem, it is likely that anti disease Malaria vaccine will become available in the foreseeable future, lessons from the past suggests that lack of acceptance and support from the intended recipients may lead to less than optimal compliance, and hence efficacy. For the planning of Vaccine development and application strategies, it is therefore, highly important to take community views into account. Here it is argued that such information could help researchers and funding agencies to set priorities for future vaccine research.