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Vaccines for other neonatal infections: are group B streptococcal infections vaccine-preventable?

G L Gilbert1

  • 1Center for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, Westmead Hospital, and National Center for Immunization Research and Surveillance, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia. ggilbert@mail.usyd.edu.au

Expert Review of Vaccines
|July 24, 2004
PubMed

Insights

A new pentavalent group B streptococcus conjugate vaccine shows promise. A single dose during pregnancy could prevent most early and late-onset neonatal and maternal group B streptococcus infections.

Area of Science:

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Vaccinology

Background:

  • Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a leading cause of serious neonatal infections.
  • GBS infections can lead to early-onset disease, late-onset disease, and maternal postpartum infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the potential efficacy of a pentavalent group B streptococcus conjugate vaccine.
  • To assess the impact of a single-dose vaccination regimen during gestation on GBS infections.

Main Methods:

  • Preliminary studies were conducted to assess vaccine efficacy.
  • The vaccine was administered as a single dose between 32-34 weeks of gestation.

Main Results:

  • The pentavalent GBS conjugate vaccine demonstrated potential to prevent approximately 90% of GBS infections.
  • This includes early-onset neonatal, late-onset neonatal, and most postpartum maternal infections.

Conclusions:

  • A single dose of the pentavalent GBS conjugate vaccine administered in late pregnancy is a highly promising strategy.
  • This approach could significantly reduce the burden of GBS infections in newborns and mothers.

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