The UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) released a study in October 2026, marking progress toward a vaccine against group A streptococcus (Strep A), a bacterium linked to roughly 600 million infections each year. The research, a collaboration with GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health, also explored needle-free delivery methods, including nasal or sublingual administration. Strep A triggers conditions from sore throat to invasive diseases, accounting for more than 500,000 annual deaths worldwide.
The study employed GMMA technology, which uses bacterial fragments to deliver Strep A antigens and provoke immune responses. Unlike conventional vaccines, this method targets mucosal surfaces, where infections originate, while also generating broader systemic immunity. The findings indicate mucosal vaccines could simplify distribution, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where Strep A’s toll is heaviest. By reducing infection rates, such vaccines might also lower antibiotic dependence, countering growing antimicrobial resistance.
No licensed Strep A vaccine exists despite its widespread health impact. The research strengthens the case for developing affordable, widely available vaccines to curb disease transmission and overcome logistical hurdles in vaccination campaigns. Fatme Mawas, the MHRA’s head of conjugate vaccines, emphasized that needle-free options could expand access, especially in areas where traditional vaccination programs face obstacles. The study’s ability to trigger immune responses at infection sites rather than only in the bloodstream signals a potential breakthrough in preventive strategies.
