Immunising Pregnant women and infants network- IMPRINT
Lead Research Organisation:
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Department Name: Infectious and Tropical Diseases
Abstract
The IMmunising PRegnant women and INfants neTwork (IMPRINT) is one of the five vaccine networks funded by UKRI/GCRF. Vaccines can make a significant contribution to the health and survival of newborn babies, young children and their mothers. Vaccination in pregnancy benefits both the mother and baby - both before and after birth. Vaccines protecting against tetanus, flu, whooping cough and COVID-19 are recommended for use in pregnancy. Vaccines stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies which protect the pregnant woman against infection and also protect her baby for several months after delivery and during the time the baby is most vulnerable to severe infection. New vaccines for this specific purpose have just been licensed (RSV) or are on the horizon (Group B strep, Lassa fever). Our network activities relate to tackling the biological and implementation challenges for maternal and neonatal immunisation. We achieve this through a) conducting research into the placenta and how the antibody passes to the baby before birth and its impact on the maturing neonatal immune system using state-of-the art novel technologies, b) through training and capacity building and networking for interdisciplinary researchers in low- and high-income countries, and c) via the integration of public voices and health systems assessments to deliver this successful intervention to those who ultimately require to be protected.
Our work to date has laid solid foundations and we have become an internationally recognised network with leading expertise in this area and a partner to other international organisations with direct impact on policy. Our unique selling point is to be able to relate our evidence-based research results and implementation strategies to the many situations on the ground in HIC and LMIC countries, given the diversity and reach of our membership.
Our work to date has laid solid foundations and we have become an internationally recognised network with leading expertise in this area and a partner to other international organisations with direct impact on policy. Our unique selling point is to be able to relate our evidence-based research results and implementation strategies to the many situations on the ground in HIC and LMIC countries, given the diversity and reach of our membership.
Technical Summary
see case for support
Publications
Bourne J
(2025)
Vaccine Utilization and Timing of Administration in Pregnant Women: A South African Perspective
in Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
Dangor Z
(2024)
Vaccine value profile for Klebsiella pneumoniae
in Vaccine
Daniel O
(2025)
Impact of HIV Status on Group B Streptococcus Colonization and Antibody Responses in Serum and Vaginal Mucosa
in Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
Daniel O
(2025)
Antibody in Breastmilk Following Pertussis Vaccination in Three-time Windows in Pregnancy
in Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
Davies HG
(2024)
Defining and reporting adverse events of special interest in comparative maternal vaccine studies: a systematic review.
in Vaccine: X
Fakhraei R
(2024)
Burden of infant group B Streptococcus disease and impact of maternal screening and antibiotic prophylaxis in Ontario, Canada: a population-based cohort study
in The Lancet Regional Health - Americas
Fu W
(2024)
Comparison of Maternal and Infant Outcomes in SARS-CoV-2 Infected Pregnancies and Contemporaneous General Population Pregnancies From British Columbia.
in Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology Canada : JOGC = Journal d'obstetrique et gynecologie du Canada : JOGC
GBD 2021 Global Stillbirths Collaborators
(2024)
Global, regional, and national stillbirths at 20 weeks' gestation or longer in 204 countries and territories, 1990-2021: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021.
in Lancet (London, England)
Gonçalves BP
(2024)
From colonization to causation: the links between Group B Streptococcus colonization, invasive disease, and preterm birth.
in International journal of epidemiology
| Description | Vaccines used in pregnancy need to be safe for women and their offsprings. Our work has enabled us to establish safety data repositories which are publicly accessible. Furthermore, we have made the knowledge necessary for understanding vaccination and specific vaccines in publicly accessible animation materials. |
| Exploitation Route | several additional grants have been obtained by members of the network and new collaborations have arisen. |
| Sectors | Education Healthcare |
| URL | https://www.imprint-network.co.uk |
| Description | the materials generated for public engagement have been used by international agencies and we established a new platform for safety data for maternal vaccines-safe in Pregnancy. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2023 |
| Sector | Education,Healthcare |
| Impact Types | Societal |
| Description | WHO guideline for conduct of clinical trials in pregnancy during health emergencies |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Impact | The guideline provides concrete advice for the conduct of clinical trials in pregnancy, incl. communication tools, screening and wider considerations-see policy document https://www.who.int/news/item/14-02-2025-guiding-maternal-and-perinatal-health-research-during-global-pandemics |
| URL | https://www.who.int/news/item/14-02-2025-guiding-maternal-and-perinatal-health-research-during-globa... |
| Description | COVID-19 Surveillance in Pregnancy |
| Amount | $3,196,851 (CAD) |
| Organisation | Public Health Agency of Canada |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | Canada |
| Start | 03/2023 |
| End | 03/2024 |
| Description | Get ready, Get Real |
| Amount | $1,100,000 (USD) |
| Organisation | Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United States |
| Start | 01/2023 |
| End | 01/2025 |
| Description | Human Rights Promotion by engaging tribal youths through community media action in Eastern India |
| Amount | 350,000Â kr (SEK) |
| Organisation | Swedish Institute |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | Sweden |
| Start | 01/2022 |
| End | 06/2023 |
| Description | Innovate UK ICURe follow on funding: FY21 round 3 by Marie Yang IMPRINT Public Engagement Awardee |
| Amount | £299,578 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Innovate UK |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | |
| Description | Landscape analysis: Sentinel site readiness for Maternal Immunization... |
| Amount | $1,752,944 (USD) |
| Funding ID | INV-008443 |
| Organisation | Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United States |
| Start | 05/2019 |
| End | 12/2021 |
| Description | Monitoring the re-emergence of respiratory syncytial virus epidemic in Canadian children for mitigation and vaccine readiness |
| Amount | $500,000 (CAD) |
| Organisation | Public Health Agency of Canada |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | Canada |
| Start | 03/2022 |
| End | 03/2023 |
| Description | PRevention of Infections in the MatErnal-Infant Dyad (PRIMED) |
| Amount | $57,644 (CAD) |
| Organisation | University of British Columbia |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | Canada |
| Start | 02/2020 |
| End | 06/2023 |
| Description | Wellcome Trust Translational Research Access Programme (TRAP) award by Dr. Marie Yang IMPRINT Public Engagement Awardee |
| Amount | £97,826 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Wellcome Trust |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | |
| Title | Small Sample- Big Data: The Gambia |
| Description | Systems Biology Characterization in Early Life |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2019 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | this is a platform that is used to upload systems biology data generated from NIH awards and has been populated with our research data also |
| URL | https://www.immport.org/shared/study/SDY1256 |
| Title | Smart Paper Technology |
| Description | This system let us develop a hybrid electronic medical records approach in Teh Gambia where data relating to vaccinations and antenatal clinics were digitalised from paper records and uploaded on a secure server for public health use and research |
| Type Of Material | Data analysis technique |
| Year Produced | 2025 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | improvements in record keeping at primary healthcare sites |
| URL | https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/how-digitisation-ensuring-no-child-left-behind |
| Description | Berlin University Alliance |
| Organisation | Humboldt University of Berlin |
| Country | Germany |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | This is an alliance of the major universities in Berlin and their Global Engagement Centre-I play a central role in this partnership though my appointment at Charite Universitatsmedizin since Jan 2023 |
| Collaborator Contribution | I lead the Centre for Global Health at Charite in Berlin and the Oxford/Berlin Academic partnership initiative. We collaborate on grant proposals and visibility of global health throughout Berlin and Germany |
| Impact | multi-disciplinary, transdisciplinary, includes humanities, technology, anthropology, sociology, law, |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Oxford/Berlin Partnership |
| Organisation | University of Oxford |
| Department | Oxford University Innovation |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | I lead the academic activities which include grant scheme and mobility and scientific symposia |
| Collaborator Contribution | University of Oxford provides leadership from their end |
| Impact | multi-disciplinary as extends through all faculties |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Career's day presentation, Oakhill School, Knysna |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Career's day presentation to high school pupils |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Executive Committee of BC RSV Immunoprophylaxis Program |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This Program is a PHSA program whose mandate is to determine eligibility for funded RSV immunoprophylaxis and administer doses to those so identified; and to promote health education aimed at reducing RSV hospital admission. The Program's Eligibility criteria are evidence-based, centered in clinical rationale. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018,2019,2020,2021,2022,2023,2024,2025 |
| Description | Gavi VIS Working Group on Immunization Platforms |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Expert advisory group set up by Gavi to guide their investments, including in maternal immunization platforms |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023,2024 |
| Description | Gavi's Vaccine investment Strategy (VIS) Steering Committee |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Expert advisory group set up by Gavi to guide their investments, including in vaccines for pregnant women |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022,2023,2024 |
| Description | New Scientist Live Clothed with Protectin event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Exhibition to communicate benefit of vaccines in pregnancy. Several people communicated that they would book an appointment for vaccination in pregnancy following the event or recommend to friends and family |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Science talk for general public: Ironclad: how liveable planets, beaver's teeth and vaccines are linked |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Science talk for general public as part of Oxford Ideas Festival |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Stakeholder Meeting Maternal Immunisation Readiness and Assessment in Africa and Asia |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Key stakeholder meeting including the Ministry of Health, NITAG, Academia and Political leaders; aim was to give updates on maternal immunisation platforms in Uganda and other LMICs |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022,2024 |
| Description | WHO Emergency Research Ethics Committee |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Expert advisory group set up by WHO to guide research of vaccines for emergency use, including for vaccines use in pregnant women |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024,2025 |
| Description | WHO Expert Steering Committee on Safety Surveillance in Pregnancy in LMICs |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Expert advisory group set up by WHO on safety surveillance for vaccines in pregnant women |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022,2023,2024,2025 |
| Description | WHO Product Development for Vaccines Advisory Committee (PDVAC) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Expert advisory group set up by WHO i to guide clinical research of priority vaccines, including for vaccines use pregnant women |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023,2024,2025 |
| Description | WHO SAGE Working Group on COVID-19 vaccines, working on developing recommendations for vaccines use, including in pregnant women |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Expert WHO SAGE working group |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023,2024,2025 |
| Description | WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Expert advisory group set up by WHO on policy recommendations for vaccines, including their use in pregnant women |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022,2023,2024,2025 |
| Description | WHO Technical Advisory Group on GBS Vaccine Development |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Expert advisory group set up by WHO on the clinical research and correlates of protection for GBS vaccines under development for pregnant women |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022,2023,2024 |
| Description | WHO Technical group for AESI background rate protocol development |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Expert advisory group set up by WHO on safety surveillance for vaccines, including in pregnant women |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023,2024,2025 |
| Description | World Health Organization (WHO) Technical Advisory Group on Vaccines and Antimicrobial Resistance (TAG VAC-AMR) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This group advises the WHO on understanding, characterizing, and communicating the role of vaccines to reduce AMR. The work is organized around developing a strategy, understanding the pipeline of vaccines in development, articulating the value of vaccines against AMR, developing methodologies to measure the impact of vaccines to reduce AMR, and assuring impact of vaccines at the country, regional and global levels. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022,2023,2024 |