Dr. Zainab Waggie

Zainab Waggie is a South African clinician-researcher whose work centers on pediatric infectious diseases, antimicrobial stewardship, and vaccinology. Affiliated with academic hospitals in South Africa, her research addresses antimicrobial use in hospitalized children, with emphasis on healthcare-associated infections, age-related prescribing patterns, and stewardship aligned with WHO AWaRe guidance. Her studies inform infection prevention strategies and rational prescribing in high-burden settings.

Waggie has contributed to influential work on tuberculosis preventive therapy for people living with HIV, as well as vaccine trials and implementation research in Africa. Her involvement in polio vaccine trials and large multicountry TB studies reflects expertise in clinical research within resource-limited contexts, strengthening evidence for policy and practice.

Her scholarship also advances vaccine advocacy and capacity building across Africa, including leadership in vaccinology conferences and communication initiatives to improve immunization uptake. Collectively, her contributions bridge clinical epidemiology, public health policy, and operational research, supporting resilient immunization and antimicrobial stewardship programs.