The Fifth International Neonatal and Maternal Immunization Symposium (INMIS 2019): Securing Protection for the Next Generation.

Manish Sadarangani,Gordean Bjornson,Paul Heath,Tobias Kollmann,Ofer Levy,Arnaud Marchant,Ed Clarke,Pierre Van Damme,Rolando Ulloa-Gutierrez,Ener Dinleyici,Flor M Munoz,Elke Leuridan,Surasith Chaithongwongwatthana,Clare L Cutland,Beate Kampmann,Marcela F Pasetti

doi:10.1128/msphere.00862-20

Abstract

Despite significant progress in reaching some milestones of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, neonatal and early infant morbidity and mortality remain high, and maternal health remains suboptimal in many countries. Novel and improved preventative strategies with the potential to benefit pregnant women and their infants are needed, with maternal and neonatal immunization representing effective approaches. Experts from immunology, vaccinology, infectious diseases, clinicians, industry, public health, and vaccine-related social sciences convened at the 5th International Neonatal and Maternal Immunization Symposium (INMIS) in Vancouver, Canada, from 15 to 17 September 2019. We critically evaluated the lessons learned from recent clinical studies, presented cutting-edge scientific progress in maternal and neonatal immunology and vaccine development, and discussed maternal and neonatal immunization in the broader context of infectious disease epidemiology and public health. Focusing on practical aspects of research and implementation, we also discussed the safety, awareness, and perception of maternal immunization as an existing strategy to address the need to improve maternal and neonatal health worldwide. The symposium provided a comprehensive scientific and practical primer as well as an update for all those with an interest in maternal and neonatal infection, immunity, and vaccination. The summary presented here provides an update of the current status of progress in maternal and neonatal immunization.

Highlights

Despite significant progress in reaching some milestones of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, neonatal and early infant morbidity and mortality remain high, and maternal health remains suboptimal in many countries
The second day was dedicated to the themes “The mechanistic underpinnings of maternal and neonatal immunization” and “Promoting healthy infant life through optimizing neonatal immunization,” with the former including a panel and audience discussion, “How does the maternal-newborn immune dyad communicate?” the third day focused on the theme “The generation of neonatal and maternal immunization research” with an audience discussion of “Is the field on the right path? What are we missing?” The closing keynote speech addressed the controversial issue of the ethics of maternal immunization research and implementation
Eliz Kilich (LSHTM, UK) provided data from a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the factors influencing vaccination decision-making among pregnant women, which further reinforced the findings reported from the msphere.asm.org 5

Summary

MEETING HIGHLIGHTS Therapeutics and Prevention

The Fifth International Neonatal and Maternal Immunization Symposium (INMIS 2019): Securing Protection for the Generation. Manish Sadarangani,a,b Tobias Kollmann,c Gordean Bjornson,a Paul Heath,d Ed Clarke,e Arnaud Marchant,f Ofer Levy,g,h,i Elke Leuridan,j Rolando Ulloa-Gutierrez,k Clare L. Cutland,l Beate Kampmann,e,m Surasith Chaithongwongwatthana,n Ener Dinleyici,o Pierre van Damme,j Flor M.

Meeting Highlights

Findings

PROMOTING HEALTHY INFANT LIFE THROUGH OPTIMIZING NEONATAL IMMUNIZATION