PROTECT network is a multi-country research consortium focused on improving maternal and newborn health, particularly by generating evidence to support vaccines and interventions that prevent infections in early life. 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 improve data collection in pregnancy and infant health, build clinical research capacity, and establish systems that can safely run and monitor vaccine trials. Its broader goal is to create a sustainable African-led research network that supports maternal vaccine development, improves newborn survival, and strengthens health system readiness for future vaccine introduction.
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.
Before viewing the films, the team facilitated a conversation about participants’ trust in different sources of health-related information, their beliefs and concerns about vaccination, and their views on the causes of disability in children.