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In 2019, the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) and partnering organizations formed the Strep A Vaccine Global Consortium (SAVAC) to facilitate the development of a Group A Strep (GAS) vaccine.

In response to the unanimous adoption of the World Health Organization’s Global Resolution on Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease at the World Health Assembly in 2018, SAVAC’s mission is to ensure the availability of safe, globally effective, and affordable GAS  vaccines for those most at risk.

According to Dr Jean-Louis Excler, SAVAC’s Project Lead:

Group A Strep is one of the deadliest bacteria as well as one of the least investigated. While most people are familiar with pharyngitis, or “sore throat,” invasive Strep A diseases can lead to acute rheumatic fever, rheumatic heart disease and heart failure, and kidney disease. These potentially fatal cases are significantly more prevalent in low- and middle-income countries due to lack of early detection and treatment. With a safe, effective, and affordable Strep A vaccine, we can save countless lives and reduce widespread use and misuse of antibiotics.”

SAVAC is expected to enact and enable the WHO Strep A Vaccine Research and Development Roadmap and assess the “Full Value of Vaccine” along with the WHO. From development to delivery, SAVAC will be a stepping stone to a future GAS vaccine. Learn more about the consortium here.

SAVAC is made possible by the Wellcome Trust which granted $2.4 million to IVI and consortium partnering organizations to coordinate world efforts to develop a vaccine against Strep A and to identify manufacturers.

Read more

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• ‘Neglected diseases’ are anything but neglected by the billion-plus people living with them
• Experts find evidence of underfunding in rheumatic heart disease research