New vaccine developed in Queensland could reduce death and disability in newborn babies

A new vaccine developed in Queensland could soon immunise women against cytomegalovirus, which can cause complications and even death in newborn babies.

Experts say while half the Australian population has likely already contracted the virus and has been carrying it in their body since childhood with no symptoms, it can still have dire consequences.

For pregnant women who contract the virus, one in three babies will be born with complications like permanent hearing loss or cerebral palsy, or will even die from the virus.

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Miff Ward was 26 weeks pregnant with her baby Azaria when she found out she had contracted cytomegalovirus.

Her child was born healthy but is permanently deaf.

"Doctors determined on ultrasound that she wasn't measuring properly," Ward said.

"It was terrifying, to be completely honest."

Researchers from QIMR have been working on finding a vaccine for the virus for 15 years.

Once approved, it would be included in the regular immunisation requirements for teens.

The vaccine could be ready for clinical trials within two years.

"If you're pre-immune to the virus, the chances of passing the infection onto the unborn baby are one in 200," professor Rajiv Khanna said.

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He said the process developed works on multiple fronts including inside cells, which could lead to breakthroughs in vaccines for other viruses or provide a new vaccine against COVID-19.

"The formulation we have sustains immune response much longer than expected," Khanna said.

Ward welcomed the breakthrough.

"It's very exciting that no other families will have to go through what we've been through," she said.

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