Maternal immunization against Group B streptococcus: World Health Organization research and development technological roadmap and preferred product characteristics

Vaccine. 2019 Nov 28;37(50):7391-7393. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.09.087. Epub 2018 Feb 2.

Abstract

Group B streptococcus, found in the vagina or lower gastrointestinal tract of about 10-40% of women of reproductive age, is a leading cause of early life invasive bacterial disease, potentially amenable to prevention through maternal immunization during pregnancy. Following a consultation process with global stakeholders, the World Health Organization is herein proposing priority research and development pathways and preferred product characteristics for GBS vaccines, with the aim to facilitate and accelerate vaccine licensure, policy recommendation for wide scale use and implementation.

Keywords: Group B streptococcus; Maternal immunization; Vaccine.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Bacterial / biosynthesis
  • Biomedical Research / organization & administration*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Tract / immunology
  • Gastrointestinal Tract / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Immunization / methods
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Legislation, Drug
  • Pregnancy
  • Streptococcal Infections / immunology
  • Streptococcal Infections / microbiology
  • Streptococcal Infections / prevention & control*
  • Streptococcal Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • Streptococcal Vaccines / biosynthesis*
  • Streptococcus agalactiae / immunology*
  • Streptococcus agalactiae / pathogenicity
  • Technology Transfer
  • Vagina / immunology
  • Vagina / microbiology
  • World Health Organization / organization & administration*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bacterial
  • Streptococcal Vaccines