The PRotective Effect of Maternal Immunisation on preTerm birth: characterising the Underlying mechanisms and Role in

Michelle L Giles1,2,3, Stephen Cole4, Jessica O'Bryan5

  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.

Frontiers in Immunology
|January 8, 2024
PubMed

Maternal immunisation, a low cost and high efficacy intervention is recommended for its pathogen specific protection. Evidence suggests that maternal immunisation has another significant impact: reduction of preterm birth (PTB), the single greatest cause of childhood morbidity and mortality globally. Our overarching question is: how does maternal immunisation modify the immune system in pregnant women and/or their newborn to reduce adverse pregnancy outcomes and enhance the newborn infant's capacity to protect itself from infectious diseases during early childhood? To answer this question we are conducting a multi-site, prospective observational cohort study collecting maternal and infant biological samples at defined time points during pregnancy and post-partum from nulliparous women. We aim to enrol 400 women and determine the immune trajectory in pregnancy and the impact of maternal immunisation (including influenza, pertussis and/or COVID-19 vaccines) on this trajectory. The results are expected to identify areas that can be targeted for future intervention studies.

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