Infections in Pregnancy

The Infections in Pregnancy and Immunisation Research Group focuses on improving health outcomes for pregnant women and their babies from infectious diseases. Our work targets blood-borne viruses in pregnancy including HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C ,while leading projects to improve maternal immunisation uptake.

Led by Professor Michelle Giles within the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology based at Monash Medical Centre (Clayton), the team combines evidence-based clinical care with competitive, grant-funded research to support long-term maternal and infant health.

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Current projects

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Maternal and Infant Protection Program (RSV-MIPP) Monitoring and Evaluation
The RSV-MIPP is Australia's national immunisation initiative designed to protect pregnant women and newborn babies from severe respiratory illness. Over three years, Monash University will lead and coordinate an Australian Government-funded evaluation of the program's nationwide rollout, safety, and health impact in collaboration with the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI), The Kids Research Institute Australia (TKRIA), Adelaide University, and the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS). By analysing real-world vaccination and hospital records, our team will deliver practical recommendations to health authorities to help improve the program and protect babies across Australia.
Over five years, this NHMRC-funded Partnership Project aims to improve vaccine uptake among pregnant women across Australia. Our team of nine partner organisations across research and government is working together to use health data to understand and support maternal immunisation. With this information, we will deliver practical solutions to increase vaccination rates, helping protect both mothers and newborn babies from preventable infections.
The PREMITUR Study analyses maternal blood samples and infant nasal fluid to investigate how maternal immunisation impacts the trajectory of a mother's immune system, the effect on preterm birth risk and the impact on her newborn's capacity to protect from infectious diseases.
The POPSICLE Study collects blood samples and nasal swabs from pregnant and non-pregnant women diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 or Influenza infection. It aims to provide a comprehensive description of the immunological response to these 2 viruses in pregnant vs non-pregnant women. Differences in response according to vaccination history will also be investigated.
The REVIVE Study aims to understand the uptake of the maternal RSV vaccine and the infant monoclonal antibody (Nirsevimab). It will investigate factors associated with uptake as well as choice between the two products. Results from this study will inform the planning of RSV public health policy.
The MyVax Study utilizes anonymous surveys and qualitative interviews with pregnant people as well as their family members and health care providers. It aims to understand how and when they would prefer vaccines to be given during pregnancy.
IMPACT-C is a collaborative project between Monash University and Latrobe Regional Health. It aims to understand the barriers to vaccination in the antenatal setting and co-design a modified model of vaccine delivery to improve access at the point of antenatal care in Gippsland, Victoria.

Funding

We are funded through the NHMRC, DHHS Victoria, Department of Health and Ageing, the National Institutes of Health, GAVI, and various philanthropic organisations.

Collaborators

We collaborate nationally and internationally.

In Victoria we collaborate with a range of different groups including those from:
Nationally we collaborate with:
Internationally our collaborators include:
- World Health Organization
- Global Vaccine Data Network
- Brighton Collaboration
- Cincinati Children’s Hospital
- Shenzhen Children’s Hospital
- St George’s Hospital, London
- Oxford University

Clinical Sciences at Monash Health

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Infections in Pregnancy

Meet the team View

Researchers

External researchers

Staff and students

Current projects

Funding

Collaborators