Literature update ViVa week 35-2026

1. GBS vaccine candidate clears a first key hurdle in HIV-endemic Africa A Ugandan phase 2 trial shows a hexavalent GBS6 vaccine candidate is safe and equally immunogenic in pregnant women with and without HIV, offering a rare evidence win for a disease that kills more infants globally than vertical HIV transmission. Summary: This phase 2, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial (PREPARE WP4) tested a hexavalent GBS6 conjugate vaccine candidate versus placebo in 300 pregnant Ugandan women (150 with HIV, 150 without HIV; 27-35 weeks’ gestation), following pairs to 12 months. GBS6 was immunogenic across six serotypes, with 30-100-fold increases in geometric mean concentration by two weeks (p<0.0001 vs placebo); no differences were observed between HIV strata (serotype Ia: 12.02 vs 9.38 microg/mL; p=0.575). Infants of vaccinated mothers showed higher birth IgG (GMRs 8.45-84.06 vs placebo), sustained above placebo through 18 weeks of observation. Serious events were unrelated to vaccination. GBS6 was safe and...