Group 1 (immediate iron treatment) will receive iron treatment before vaccination. Women in both groups will receive the 1st dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccine response will be measured 28 and 56 days after the first vaccine administration in both groups. At 28 days, participants will receive the 2nd dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Group 2 (delayed iron treatment) will receive iron treatment at study end.
Vaccines often underperform in Africa compared to high-income countries. Why vaccines do not work as well in Africa remains uncertain. Malnutrition likely plays a role. Our study objective is to assess whether iron deficiency anaemia in young women impairs their immune response to the COVID-19 vaccine, and whether iron treatment improves their response.