WHO/IVI global stakeholder consultation on group A Streptococcus vaccine development: Report from a meeting held on 12–13 December 2016. Issue 24 (7th June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Osowicki, Joshua; Vekemans, Johan; Kaslow, David C.; Friede, Martin H.; Kim, Jerome H.; Steer, Andrew C.
• Is Part Of: Vaccine. Volume 36:Issue 24(2018)
• Page Start: 3397
• Page End: 3405
• Publication Date: 2018-06-07
• Subjects: Group A streptococcus -- Streptococcus pyogenes -- Vaccination -- Vaccine development -- Rheumatic fever -- Rheumatic heart disease -- Streptococcal glomerulonephritis -- Toxic shock syndrome -- Necrotizing fasciitis -- Pharyngitis -- Impetigo -- Cellulitis; Vaccines -- Periodicals; 615.372
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.02.068
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-410X

Abstract

Abstract: While progress towards a Group A Streptococcus (GAS) vaccine has been stalled by a combination of scientific, regulatory, and commercial barriers, the problem persists. The high and globally-distributed burden of disease attributable to GAS makes vaccination an imperative global public health goal. Advances across a range of scientific disciplines in understanding GAS diseases have made the goal a realistic one and focused attention on the need for coordinated global action. With a view to accelerating GAS vaccine development, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) convened a global stakeholder consultation on the 12th and 13th of December 2016, in Seoul, South Korea. Topics discussed included: (1) gaps in current knowledge of global GAS epidemiology, burden of disease, and molecular epidemiology; (2) contribution of pre-clinical models to candidate vaccine evaluation and new immunological assays to address GAS immunology knowledge gaps; (3) status and future of the GAS vaccine development pipeline; and (4) defining a pathway to licensure, policy recommendations and availability of a vaccine. The meeting determined to establish a GAS vaccine working group to coordinate preparation of a global vaccine values proposition, preferred product characteristics, and a technical research and development roadmap. A new global GAS vaccine consortium will drive strategic planning to anticipate requirements for licensure, prequalification, and policy recommendations.