Maternal vaccines protect babies from serious infections, but unequal access limits benefits across Europe

AI Summary

A Lancet Regional Health—Europe series argues that maternal vaccination can protect infants from serious infections, but unequal access limits those benefits. Led by Professor Asma Khalil, the work calls for stronger vaccination during pregnancy and is being presented at a 2026 maternal-fetal medicine congress in Utrecht.

Europe must act now to strengthen maternal vaccination during pregnancy and ensure all women and babies can benefit from a new generation of vaccines to protect against serious infections. That is according to a new Lancet Regional Health - Europe series led by Professor Asma Khalil at City St George's, University of London, which is being launched and presented at the 2026 Global Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine Congress in Utrecht.