Aarhus University Seal

A turning point for GBS across Europe and worldwide


Time and place


  • September 2-4, 2026
  • Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel, Aarhus, Denmark

About the symposium


The Readiness for Group B Streptococcus Maternal Immunisation Symposium will take place on September 2-4, 2026 at the Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel in Aarhus, Denmark.

Hosted by Aarhus University with the GBS Vax-Ready European Consortium, this symposium marks a turning point for GBS across Europe and worldwide. With a vision to accelerate progress toward maternal GBS vaccine readiness, strengthen routine GBS surveillance across Europe, and contribute to the global impact of GBS vaccines and improved GBS measurement, the symposium highlights that it is now time to act to ensure readiness when the vaccine is introduced.

The programme will focus on disseminating state‑of‑the‑art research evidence, strengthening preparedness for maternal immunisation, and promoting collaboration among researchers, clinicians, public health specialists, and stakeholders. Through this, the symposium aims to support evidence‑based change to reduce the burden of invasive GBS disease in infants and mothers, as well as GBS‑associated stillbirths and preterm births, ultimately enabling healthier beginnings and more hopeful futures for families around the world.

The symposium is designed for researchers, public health professionals, clinicians, and specialists in surveillance, as well as policy makers, funding bodies, regulatory authorities, advocacy group, and other organisations engaged in maternal and newborn health.

We look forward to welcoming you to Aarhus for a forward‑looking and impactful symposium designed to shape the future of maternal GBS vaccine readiness across Europe and around the globe.

Scientific committee


  • Erzsébet Horváth-Puhó, Aarhus University, Denmark (chair)
  • Henrik Toft Sørensen, Aarhus University and Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark
  • Joy Lawn, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, UK
  • Kirsty Le Doare, City St George’s, University of London, UK
  • Merijn Bijlsma, Amsterdam UMC, the Netherlands
  • Paul Heath, City St George’s, University of London, UK
  • Simon Procter, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, UK
  • Theresa Lamagni, UK Health Security Agency, UK
  • Ziyaad Dangor, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa

Why attend?


  • International meeting to accelerate maternal Group B Streptococcus (GBS) vaccine readiness across Europe and contribute to faster impact around the world
  • Gain insights from state‑of‑the‑art plenary talks from leading experts
  • Collaborate to harmonise key outputs, including improved disease burden measurement and comparability (especially in routine surveillance), collate research priorities, and discuss strategies to leverage funding
  • Benefit from subsidised registration for students and LMIC attendees

Keynote speakers


  • Joy Lawn, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
  • Virginia Benassi, World Health Organization – WHO
  • Stephanie Schrag, former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – CDC
  • Kirsty Le Doare, City St George’s, University of London
  • Anna Seale, Gates Foundation
  • Hellen Barsosio, Kenya Medical Research Institute & ISSAD
  • TBC, World Health Organization/Europe – WHO/Europe
  • Theresa Lamagni, UK Health Security Agency
  • Ignacio Esteban, Gavi - the Vaccine Alliance
  • Pierrette Melin, University of Liège
  • TBC, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control – ECDC
  • Paul Heath, City St George’s, University of London
  • Erzsébet Horváth-Puhó, Aarhus University
  • Merijn Bijlsma, Amsterdam UMC
  • Simon Procter, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
  • TBC, European Medicine Agency – EMA