Research area: Infection, Immunity and Global Health > Vaccine Immunology

Key features of the platform 

• Assay platforms: Our platforms are designed to assess specific immune responses (IgG and opsonophagocytosis) triggered by pneumococcal vaccines. 
• High-throughput analysis: We are one of only four laboratories worldwide equipped with a platform capable of large-scale analysis, allowing us to process many samples efficiently. 
• Internationally standardised: Our methods adhere to global standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO), ensuring consistency and reliability in our results. 
  
  

Background 

Pneumococcal vaccines protect against serious diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus), such as pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis, especially in children under 5 years old. In 2019, over 500,000 children in this age group died from pneumonia-related illnesses. There are more than 100 types of pneumococcus, and current vaccines cover up to 21 of the most common types. New vaccines with more types are being tested, requiring advanced tools to measure their effectiveness. 

Protection against pneumococcal disease depends on the body's ability to produce antibodies. This involves measuring: 

• IgG responses: Antibodies specific to each type of pneumococcus in the vaccine. 
• Opsonophagocytosis: The process by which antibodies help white blood cells kill the bacteria. 

Both measurements are crucial for vaccine approval by health authorities like the FDA, EMA, and TGA. 

Our technology 

Over the past 15 years, we have developed advanced tools to measure immune responses to pneumococcal vaccines in both children and adults. These tools are based on WHO guidelines and are internationally recognised.  

We are the only lab in Australia and one of four globally with this capability, and we have used these methods in many clinical trials. As new vaccines are developed, our tools will continue to be essential for evaluating their immunogenicity and effectiveness. 

Our laboratory is able to undertake high-throughput PCV immunogenicity testing as part of your clinical trial needs. We have significant experience through our studies in Australia, Fiji, Vietnam, Timor-Leste, The Gambia and Korea. 

Funding

Thanks to the funders who have supported our various studies.

• National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) 
• Gates Foundation 
• UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) 
  
  

Publications

Temple B, Tran HP, Dai VTT, Smith-Vaughan H; VPT-II Collaborator Group; Licciardi PV, Satzke C, Nguyen TV, Mulholland K. Efficacy against pneumococcal carriage and the immunogenicity of reduced-dose (0 + 1 and 1 + 1) PCV10 and PCV13 schedules in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam: a parallel, single-blind, randomised controlled trial. Lancet Infect Dis. 2023 Aug;23(8):933-944. doi: 10.1016/S1473-3099(23)00061-0. Epub 2023 Apr 14. PMID: 37062304; PMCID: PMC10371874.

Higgins RA, Temple B, Dai VTT, Phan TV, Toan NT, Spry L, Toh ZQ, Nation ML, Ortika BD, Uyen DY, Cheung YB, Nguyen CD, Bright K, Hinds J, Balloch A, Smith-Vaughan H, Huu TN, Mulholland K, Satzke C, Licciardi PV. IMMUNOGENICITY AND IMPACT ON NASOPHARYNGEAL CARRIAGE OF A SINGLE DOSE OF PCV10 GIVEN TO VIETNAMESE CHILDREN AT 18 MONTHS OF AGE. Lancet Reg Health West Pac. 2021 Sep 20;16:100273. doi: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2021.100273. PMID: 34590071; PMCID: PMC8453212.

Licciardi PV, Temple B, Dai VTT, Toan NT, Uyen D, Nguyen CD, Phan TV, Bright K, Marimla RA, Balloch A, Huu TN, Mulholland K. Immunogenicity of alternative ten-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine schedules in infants in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: results from a single-blind, parallel-group, open-label, randomised, controlled trial. Lancet Infect Dis. 2021 Oct;21(10):1415-1428. doi: 10.1016/S1473-3099(20)30775-1. Epub 2021 Jun 23. PMID: 34171233; PMCID: PMC8461081.

Contact us 

Please contact the Vaccine Immunology group for any enquiries. 

Associate Professor Paul Licciardi 
Group Leader, Vaccine Immunology, Infection, Immunity & Global Health 
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