Maternal vaccines vital for protecting newborns from RSV – Researchers

Accra, March 13, – Researchers have highlighted antenatal care (ANC) clinics as the most effective platform for delivering maternal vaccines that protect newborns from serious respiratory infections, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

The findings come from a year-long study titled Maternal Immunisation Optimisation, conducted by the School of Public Health, University of Ghana with support from the global health organisation PATH.

The study assessed the feasibility and acceptability of using ANC services to deliver new maternal vaccines to pregnant women.

Mr Boateng Bannerman, a member of the research team, said at a dissemination meeting that the study examined how vaccines designed to protect pregnant women and their unborn babies could be safely integrated into Ghana’s health system.

He emphasised that infections affecting newborns, such as RSV and Group B Streptococcus (GBS), could be prevented if mothers received appropriate vaccines during pregnancy.

“Some conditions that affect babies can actually be prevented if the pregnant mother is protected. RSV and GBS are two key diseases that can lead to serious infections and respiratory complications in infants,” he said.

RSV is a common respiratory virus that can cause severe illness in infants and young children, with an estimated 22–26 per cent of pregnant women in Ghana exposed to the virus.

GBS is a bacterium carried by 10–30 per cent of adults, which can lead to sepsis, pneumonia, and meningitis in newborns. Bannerman warned that infections contracted during pregnancy may not be immediately apparent at birth but can result in severe illness or death later.

The study found that ANC services already provide a strong foundation for maternal immunisation, since vaccines like tetanus toxoid are routinely given during antenatal visits. Integrating new vaccines, including RSV vaccines, could significantly improve access and uptake.

“When a woman attends antenatal care, she already receives vaccines such as tetanus toxoid. That same platform can effectively deliver maternal vaccines like the RSV vaccine,” Bannerman explained.

Researchers stressed the importance of improving ANC attendance and called for intensified public education to encourage early and regular visits.

Bannerman said Ghana already had access to RSV vaccines and relevant data, urging the government to introduce the vaccine into antenatal services to prevent infant infections and deaths.

“It is possible for us to administer RSV and GBS vaccines to pregnant women in the third trimester through antenatal care. Although implementation has not yet begun, we will continue to advocate for these vaccines to be made available so that mothers and their babies are protected,” he said.

Mr John Bawa, Country Manager of PATH, emphasised that vaccinating pregnant women could significantly reduce infant illness and mortality from preventable infections. He noted that ongoing studies by institutions such as the Navrongo Health Research Centre are expected to provide further data on RSV prevalence and burden in Ghana.

“You cannot wait until infections occur before treating them. Prevention through immunisation is the safest and most effective approach,” he said.

Bawa called for stronger collaboration between the government, health institutions, media, and communities to make maternal immunisation an integral part of maternal healthcare in Ghana.

GHBUSS

13 March 2026