New research by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), in partnership with the GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health, has moved a vaccine against the highly contagious group A streptococcus bacterium (Strep A) a step closer to reality.
Published this month (October 2026) in Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, the paper also shows promise for ‘needle-free’ vaccines that could be administered in the nose or under the tongue.
Strep A is a major global cause of sore throat, scarlet fever, invasive infections and rheumatic heart disease. It is estimated that there are over 600 million Strep A infections worldwide each year with associated complications responsible for over 500,000 deaths.
Fatme Mawas, Head of Conjugate Vaccines, MHRA, said: “This research highlights the potential of GMMA technology to support a new generation of affordable, needle-free vaccines. By delivering a Strep A vaccine through the nose or under the tongue, we showed that strong immune responses were generated both at the mucosal surfaces where infection begins and throughout the body, supporting protection against invasive disease.
“This approach could make vaccines easier to administer and more accessible globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where the burden of Strep A disease is greatest. By preventing infections before they occur, vaccines can also help reduce antibiotic use and support efforts to tackle antimicrobial resistance.”
The vaccine uses Generalised Modules for Membrane Antigens (GMMA), which are tiny bubbles naturally shed from bacteria, as both a carrier for the Strep A carbohydrate and an adjuvant to boost the immune response.
Unlike most vaccine approaches, which focus primarily on generating antibodies in the bloodstream, this research targets immunity at mucosal surfaces of the nose and throat, where Strep A establishes infection, while also inducing broader systemic immune response.
There is currently no licensed vaccine for Strep A, despite it causing hundreds of millions of infections globally. Although most Strep infections are mild, serious complications can lead to long-term disability or death, particularly in low-and middle-income countries where the burden of the disease remains high.
The findings support the further development of affordable, easily administered mucosal vaccines that could improve access to immunisation worldwide and contribute to global efforts to reduce the burden of infectious disease and antimicrobial resistance.