Background:

The ARIA-RISE project is a collaboration between the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, Menzies School of Health Research and Timor-Leste Ministry of Health (MoH).  It aims to provide information about the epidemiology of COVID-19 and other vaccine-preventable diseases by conducting serological surveillance in Timor-Leste.

The project will include three separate research studies, evaluating seroprevalence for SARS-CoV-2 and other vaccine preventable diseases in:

  • Healthcare workers
  • Residual blood samples from six municipalities in Timor-Leste
  • Community members in a population-representative national serosurvey
Aims and objectives:
  • Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection assessed over time to inform public health policy to control and mitigate COVID-19 disease and inform potential COVID-19 immunisation strategies in Timor-Leste.
  • Technical capacity to undertake serology at the Timor-Leste National Health Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 and select vaccine preventable diseases is increased.
  • The prevalence of immunity to select vaccine preventable diseases, including measles, rubella and hepatitis B, assessed to inform immunisation program policy and implementation
Chief investigators:
Project manager:

Project dates:

The project commenced in January 2021 and is due for completion in June 2022.