Global Health Leaders Gather in Nairobi as Historic ISSAD 2026 Conference Kicks Off

By James Nyaigoti,

Global scientists, vaccine developers and public health leaders gathered in Nairobi yesterday as the 2026 International Symposium on Streptococcus agalactiae Disease (ISSAD) officially opened, marking the first time the premier global conference on Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is being held in East Africa.
The three-day conference, running from February 23–25 at the Hyatt Regency Nairobi Westlands, has brought together experts from more than 40 countries to deliberate on urgent priorities in GBS research, vaccine development and public health policy including discussions around the anticipated rollout of a global maternal GBS vaccine.

Convened under the International Symposium on Streptococcus agalactiae Disease (ISSAD), the meeting is taking place at a critical moment in the global fight against GBS, a leading cause of neonatal sepsis, meningitis and infant mortality worldwide.

A Persistent Global Health Threat
GBS remains a major public health concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. An estimated 18–20 million women globally carry GBS each year — roughly one in five pregnant women. The bacterium causes approximately 400,000 cases of invasive disease annually in infants, including sepsis and meningitis, and is linked to an estimated 91,000 infant deaths and 46,200 stillbirths worldwide.

Despite decades of research, no licensed vaccine currently exists. Prevention strategies largely rely on screening and administering antibiotics during labour interventions that remain unevenly accessible in resource-constrained settings.

Speaking during the opening session, conference chair Dr Hellen Barsosio said hosting the event in Nairobi represents a turning point for the region.
“Hosting ISSAD 2026 in Nairobi presents a transformative opportunity to center the voices and experiences of the communities most affected by GBS disease,” she said. “There are several researchers from low- and middle-income countries speaking at the conference, which is critical because this is where the GBS burden is heaviest.”

African-Led Research Takes Centre Stage
ISSAD 2026 is chaired by Dr Barsosio, a Clinical Research Scientist at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) Collaboration. She also co-leads the Maternal Immunisation Readiness Network in Africa & Asia (MIRNA), which works across nine countries in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia to strengthen maternal immunisation systems ahead of the introduction of life-saving vaccines.

This year’s theme “From Evidence to Action: Accelerating GBS Prevention in a Changing World”  underscores the conference’s focus on moving beyond research generation to policy implementation, particularly in high-burden settings.
Organisers noted that situating the conference in East Africa home to some of the highest GBS burden populations globally is enabling direct engagement with frontline healthcare providers, policymakers and affected communities.

Scientific Deliberations and Vaccine Prospects
The opening day featured a comprehensive scientific agenda addressing critical knowledge gaps and implementation challenges. An expert panel examined the latest developments in GBS vaccine candidates currently undergoing clinical trials, including maternal immunisation approaches designed to protect both mothers and newborns.

Plenary sessions are presenting updated global and regional disease burden estimates, highlighting persistent data gaps particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia that continue to hinder accurate assessment.
Parallel sessions are exploring infant disease burden, adult GBS infections in low- and middle-income countries, and cutting-edge genomics research reshaping understanding of GBS transmission.
Discussions are also drawing on recent data from the Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) network to examine GBS-associated stillbirths, prematurity and maternal disease.
Strategic Importance for Kenya-Nairobi’s selection as host city reflects Kenya’s growing reputation as a regional health innovation hub, supported by strong institutional partnerships and global connectivity. 

The conference has received backing from KEMRI and the Ministry of Health, reinforcing national commitment to advancing maternal and newborn health outcomes.
As deliberations continue through February 25, delegates are expected to shape a roadmap for accelerating global prevention strategies particularly as momentum builds toward the development and eventual rollout of a maternal GBS vaccine.
ISSAD 2026 is widely seen as a pivotal moment in the global effort to end preventable deaths linked to Group B Streptococcus.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Inaugural International Religious Freedom Summit Africa Launches in Nairobi

Image
Religious Freedom as a Catalyst for Socioeconomic Development and Peacebuilding Nairobi, Kenya, Tuesday, 17 June:   Upon the kind invitation from the Chief Justice of Kenya Lady Justice Martha Koome who is the Chief Guest and host, the International Religious Freedom Summit has officially commenced in Nairobi, Kenya. This landmark 3-day event is organized by Pepperdine University and the Religious Freedom Institute, and hosted by the Global Peace Foundation. The summit aims to elevate religious freedom as a foundational pillar for peace, human dignity, and sustainable development across the African continent. Bringing together policymakers and religious leaders from across Africa, the summit underscores the urgent need to protect and promote religious freedom, which organizers highlighted as increasingly under threat across the region. H.E. Mrs. Bola Obasanjo, Co-Chair of the IRF Summit, emphasized that Africa requires greater investments of time and talent to adva...
Read more

NCPWD Disburses Ustawi Scholarships to Learners with Disabilities, Seeks Data Integration with Education Ministry

Image
By James Nyaigoti, The National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) has reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive education with the disbursement of the Ustawi Scholarship to learners with disabilities across the country. Speaking during the disbursement ceremony, the Council’s Executive Director, Dr. Michael Munene, said the scholarship program is designed to ensure that children living with disabilities are not left behind in accessing quality education. “We have established county vetting committees comprising County Commissioners, children officers and education officers to ensure a fair and transparent selection process,” Dr. Munene said. “Most children with vulnerabilities are often left out, and this initiative seeks to bridge that gap.” Structured and Accountable Selection Process Dr. Munene explained that each county is required to submit a maximum of 50 beneficiaries to promote equitable distribution of the scholarship opportunities nationwide. According to...
Read more

New Generation Aspirants Unveil Youth-Led Roadmap for a New Kenya

Image
By James Nyaigoti Kenya’s emerging crop of youthful leaders has today  launched a bold political movement aimed at reimagining the country’s future through youth-led leadership, unity, and structural reform. Under the banner New Generation Aspirants (NGA), the diverse coalition of young political hopefuls from across the country presented a unified roadmap for national renewal and transformation ahead of the 2027 general elections. The movement, dubbed "The New Generation Aspirants Youth Led Roadmap for a New Kenya", drew hundreds of aspirants ranging from grassroots to presidential contenders. Central to the day’s activities was the signing of the Ufungamano Declaration a document committing the coalition to a just, inclusive, and people-centered leadership agenda. “This is our moment” Lavani Miller, co-convener of the NGA forum, delivered a passionate call to action: “We are tired of the status quo. We are tired of a government that continually sidelines its you...
Read more