March 8 marks International Women’s Day, a powerful reminder of the progress made toward gender equality and the challenges that still remain – especially in the realm of women’s health. Around the world, women’s health issues continue to be chronically under-funded, under-researched, and women’s access to equitable healthcare is often limited. This frequently results in poorer health outcomes for women and girls compared to men.

The IMPRINT network seeks to address some of these inequalities by advancing maternal vaccine research and innovation in the UK and in low- and middle-income countries. In the past eight years, IMPRINT has not only supported projects that deepen our understanding of the best use of vaccines in pregnancy and in newborns; as an international, collaborative network it has also helped address key challenges in vaccine implementation and access issues around the world. Especially in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs), where pregnant women often lack access to essential health services where they can receive vaccines that protect their health and the health of their children, IMPRINT’s work has helped make a difference.

In honour of International Women’s Day, we spoke to Prof Beate Kampmann. In addition to serving as director of the Centre for Global Health at Charitè – Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Professor of Paediatric Infection & Immunity at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, she is also the director of the IMPRINT network. Today, she shares her insights into tackling challenges in the field of maternal immunisation and tells us about IMPRINT’s commitment to advancing maternal and newborn health through safe and effective vaccines.

Since 2017, the IMPRINT network has brought together a diverse group of researchers and experts dedicated to improving maternal and newborn health. What makes this network and its approach to maternal and infant immunisation so unique?

I am really proud that we have created a very interdisciplinary international network that brings together stakeholders from basic science, immunology, vaccinology, social sciences, industry, public health and national and international policymakers who have come together in order to tackle the key challenges in the best use of vaccines in pregnancy and in newborns. Our members are located in 55 countries around the world, which gives the research far-reaching impact, and in the long-term, results can contribute to improve maternal and newborn health in a global context.

How can IMPRINT’s work in the field of immunisation help advance women’s health – and the health of their children –  in a larger context?

Women often lack equitable access to multiple resources, including health care. The reasons are very diverse; geography, income, power balances, education, availability – to name just a few. However, immunisation systems are an excellent platform to engage women and their children in healthcare facilities, where services beyond immunisation can be available. In our own work, we focus on getting safe and effective vaccines to pregnant women in particular, as some infections can affect pregnant women or newborns more severely. Getting vaccinated in pregnancy provides a proven, powerful intervention.  Hence, our focus on pregnancy and opportunities to receive vaccines also addresses women’s health in a larger context.

What do you see as the greatest challenges in maternal and infant vaccine research today?

To make sure an intervention such as vaccination works well for women in all geographical settings, clinical trials should include wide geographical settings and their populations. This however implies that the resources for the conduct of these studies and subsequent implementation of a product also need to be found and sustained. It is not enough to have shown safety and efficacy of a vaccine in a low- or middle-income country (LMIC) if the vaccine isn’t affordable or the program has no way to implement it. We need to think ahead when we are deigning interventions for women and infants. There needs to be a demonstrated local need, an implementation plan and follow-up.

How can collaborative networks like IMPRINT help tackle these challenges?

The international membership of IMPRINT brings us insights into local conditions, and we can look at biological and implementation challenges through a local lens. For example, the context of malaria might have an impact on antibody-transfer post vaccination, and efficacy of a vaccine might be affected. Or no plans for introduction of additional interventions – such as vaccines in pregnancy – exist, and the health care system cannot afford or implement these. Or local communities are sceptical with regards to interventions in pregnancy because there is fear they could interfere with fertility or infant outcome.  Efforts supported by the IMPRINT network have addressed such barriers and gaps in knowledge via direct research projects conducted in various geographical areas where our members are placed.

International Women’s Day reminds us that expanding women’s access to healthcare and advancing research on women’s health are essential – but it is equally important to empower women to become leaders in public health and science. What message would you like to share with young women and girls aspiring to pursue vaccine research and shape the future of public health?

As a vaccinologist, for sure I would encourage my young female colleagues to engage in vaccine science as it is such a wonderful preventive area of science with a direct path to changing lives. It’s also an exciting fundamental area of scientific progress, and it relates to not just basic biology but also to human behaviour.

Women are important influencers in their communities, but they often feel sidelined in their opinions by louder voices.  On this International Women's Day, I encourage all women and girls to seek opportunities to speak up – whether they are presenting their scientific results, or their observations in day-to-day life. We need to be seen to be heard, so do not hide from taking positions in committees and decision-making bodies. As Ruth Bader Ginsburg said: “Women belong in all places where decisions are being made.”

Women need to have a seat at the table. Be courageous, sisters!

As network director and co-leader of IMPRINT for nearly eight years, you have played a key role in advancing maternal and infant immunisation. Looking back, what are you most proud of?

I am proud of having advanced the topic and this area of research. Eight years ago, maternal and infant immunisation was a niche area of research in vaccinology and for public health considerations. First Ebola and then the COVID-19 pandemic has brought it home that it is not okay to exclude pregnant women from clinical trials. Regulatory authorities have adapted and changed positions – not just because of our network but also because of our contribution to the global dialogue. Big steps in public health are only achieved in collaborations. If you want to go fast, go it alone; if you want to go far, join forces. By being leaders and contributors in addressing biological, implementation and advocacy challenges for vaccines in pregnancy in many countries, together with our members we have moved the agenda forward in what I believe is a very responsible fashion – and there is no way back now. I believe that together and through our network, we have left an imprint.

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