Indonesia Pushes Maternal Vaccine Innovation on Global Stage at Harvard

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia is positioning itself as a contributor to global health innovation, with its top drug regulator presenting a proposal for maternal vaccines to address deadly newborn infections during a visit to Harvard Medical School.

Head of the Indonesian Food and Drug Authority (BPOM), Taruna Ikrar, outlined a strategic vision for developing maternal vaccines targeting Group B Streptococcus (GBS) during a guest lecture on March 30-31, 2026.

GBS remains a major global health challenge, causing an estimated 390,000 invasive infections annually, along with nearly 100,000 infant deaths and stillbirths, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

Current prevention methods, such as Intrapartum Antibiotic Prophylaxis (IAP), have been effective in reducing early-onset infections but offer limited long-term protection. Taruna proposed maternal vaccination as a more comprehensive solution.

“By proposing a maternal vaccine for Group B Streptococcus, we can protect against early-onset disease, late-onset disease, and stillbirth, while preserving the neonatal microbiome and reducing antimicrobial resistance,” he said in his statement in Jakarta on Thursday, April 2, as quoted by Antara.

He also emphasized the importance of global collaboration among academia, industry, and governments to tackle complex health challenges. He expressed interest in partnering with Harvard Medical School, noting Indonesia’s ambition to play a leading role in vaccine development.

The visit also underscored Indonesia’s growing presence in global health discussions. He described his participation at Harvard as recognition of the country’s scientific capacity and its role in shaping international health policy.

BPOM has strengthened its global standing as a WHO-Listed Authority (WLA), signaling its credibility as a regulatory body and marking a shift from being a policy recipient to an active contributor in science-driven global health initiatives. ***