PROTECT network is a multi-country research consortium focused on improving maternal and newborn health. It brings together universities and research institutes across Africa and Europe to strengthen health surveillance systems, especially for diseases like Group B Streptococcus (GBS), which is a major cause of newborn sepsis and meningitis. The network works in countries such as Kenya, Uganda, Malawi, and Mozambique to support hospitals in establishing pregnancy registries, collect and share data about GBS disease burden, and better understand the drivers behind vaccine hesitancy and confidence. Its broader goal is to create a network of sites that can monitor vaccine safety for current and future vaccines.
In December 2025, the team at MU-JHU, a PROTECT partner in Uganda, organised a short film viewing and focus group discussion with pregnant women on the topic of Group B Streptococcus (GBS) infections and potential long-term effects on children’s development. The aim was to inform participants about the bacterium and to learn from them about their understanding of the illness it causes and their attitudes towards potential vaccination. To read more about the community engagement activity click here.
*Watch one of the films that were showed to the focus group.*