The World Health Organization (WHO) urgently calls for a vaccine against group B streptococcus (GBS), a bacterium linked to approximately 150,000 newborn deaths each year—surpassing prior estimates.
Group B streptococcus (GBS) is a common bacterium that triggers severe infections in newborns. About 15% of pregnant women carry GBS in their vagina, potentially passing it to babies during pregnancy, birth, or the first weeks of life. Rates are highest in sub-Saharan Africa, accounting for nearly half the global burden.
GBS infections manifest in two forms: early-onset disease and late-onset disease. Early cases present with lethargy, irritability, low blood pressure, pneumonia, sepsis, and unstable temperature, heart rate, or breathing. Late cases initially seem healthy but develop fever, feeding difficulties, lethargy, irritability, and respiratory issues after the first week.
These conditions can rapidly become life-threatening for infants, though adults are less severely affected.
A 2017 report estimated GBS caused nearly 100,000 newborn deaths and 50,000 stillbirths annually, but noted data gaps suggesting underreporting. New WHO research, published November 2, confirms at least 150,000 newborn deaths and around 46,000 stillbirths yearly—these are conservative figures.
"This new research shows that group B streptococcus is a major and underappreciated threat to the survival and well-being of newborns, leading to devastating effects for so many families around the world," the WHO states in its press release.
Current treatment relies on antibiotics for diagnosed cases in infants and mothers, but risks remain high. In response, the WHO demands "urgent development of a maternal GBS vaccine" with global benefits.
Experts project that vaccinating 70% of pregnant women could prevent over 50,000 GBS-related deaths and more than 170,000 preterm births annually. Promising candidates include a hexavalent vaccine entering phase III trials and others, like an mRNA version, in preclinical stages.
