Group A Streptococcus (GAS) infections are a significant global cause of morbidity and mortality. GAS diseases disproportionally affect those living in conditions characterized by poverty and social injustice, in both developing countries and in marginalized populations of industrialized nations. In Australia and New Zealand, GAS-associated Acute Rheumatic Fever (ARF) is a major cause of health inequality disproportionally affecting indigenous children. Recognition of these inequalities by the governments of Australia and New Zealand has resulted in the formation of a Trans-Tasman Coalition to Advance New Vaccines for group A Streptococcus (CANVAS). This review provides an update on the current status of GAS vaccine development, and describes global efforts by CANVAS and others to accelerate the development of GAS vaccines.
Keywords: M protein; Streptococcus pyogenes; rheumatic fever; rheumatic heart disease; vaccines.