We are pleased to invite submissions for oral and poster presentations for the Readiness for Group B Streptococcus Maternal Immunisation symposium.

Submit your abstract by May 25, 2026.

Please read the instructions below before submitting your abstract: 

• All abstracts must be submitted via the Oxford Abstract online portal
• Submissions via email are not accepted
• Maximum abstract length: 300 words (excluding title, authors, affiliations)
• Structured abstracts will be accepted with Background, Methods, Results, Conclusions/Implications sections
• Tables, figures, footnotes, or bullet lists are not accepted
• Avoid abbreviations unless defined on first use
• Do not include references or citations
• Use clear scientific English and impersonal academic style where possible

We welcome abstracts that present original research results, literature reviews, policy perspectives, commentaries, methodological contributions, and other relevant submissions addressing (but not limited to):

GBS Epidemiology, Burden, and Surveillance Innovation

• Maternal, neonatal, and pregnancy associated GBS outcomes
• Stillbirth and preterm birth associated with GBS
• Geographic, demographic, and temporal trends in GBS disease
• Long‑term sequelae and life‑course impact of GBS

Use of European routine health data systems to assess GBS associated burden

• Monitoring GBS disease and carriage strain characteristics
• Inequalities in GBS disease burden

Maternal Immunisation Readiness

• Preparedness for maternal GBS vaccination in European health systems
• Lessons from existing maternal immunisation programmes (e.g., RSV, TT, pertussis) and their relevance for GBS
• Vaccine safety monitoring strategies and surveillance system readiness
• Economic evaluations, health system planning, and implementation considerations
• Interactions between intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis and future GBS vaccines
• Post-licensure vaccine effectiveness and impact study design

Vaccine Development & Policy

• Current status of GBS vaccine development
• Regulatory perspectives and pathways for maternal vaccines in Europe
• Scale‑up strategies and lessons from global immunisation initiatives
• Potential for GBS vaccines to reduce antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance

Societal & Behavioural Dimensions

• Acceptance and uptake of maternal vaccines
• Community engagement, communication, and trust‑building around GBS vaccination
• Ethical considerations for maternal immunisation strategies

Abstracts will be reviewed by 2-3 independent reviewers and evaluated based on scientific quality, clarity, relevance, and alignment with the symposium themes.

We encourage submissions from early‑career researchers. Selected abstracts will be featured in our Early‑Career Researcher Sessions, with recognition and awards on Day 3.