Group B streptococcus (GBS) is an important cause of disease burden in every region worldwide, contributing to neonatal/ infant infection, deaths, disability, stillbirths and maternal infection.

The World Health Organization (WHO) identified the development of GBS vaccines suitable for maternal immunization in pregnancy and use in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) as a priority in 2015.

The WHO Full value of vaccines assessment of Group B streptococcus vaccines published on 3 November 2021 describes the global public health rationale for developing vaccines against disease caused by GBS for maternal immunization, to inform decision making across the continuum of vaccine development and uptake with a line of sight to sustainable public health impact.