The second ISSAD conference took place virtually from London on 3–5 November 2021, transforming challenges posed by the pandemic into an opportunity to reach a global audience. Co-organized with the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, St George’s University of London, and several international partners, the event featured an extensive and diverse program emphasizing innovation in GBS research and prevention.

The 2021 edition brought together renowned keynote speakers, including Dr. Kate O’Brien (WHO), Prof. Joy Lawn (LSHTM), Prof. Mark Jit, Dr. Philipp Lambach (WHO), Dr. Annaliesa Anderson (Pfizer), and Prof. Beate Kampmann, among many others. It included multiple parallel tracks, plenary sessions, and focused symposia covering topics such as maternal immunization, vaccine development, epidemiology, genomics, public health policy, and patient advocacy. Notably, patient voices and stories featured prominently, emphasizing the real-world impact of GBS disease.

ISSAD 2021 also hosted a special plenary session on translating bench research to bedside applications, as well as panels on policy, advocacy, and the importance of data for vaccine implementation. The virtual format allowed for dynamic interactions and broadened participation from low- and middle-income countries, fostering global engagement.

Overall, ISSAD 2021 strengthened international networks and advanced the global agenda on GBS prevention and control. It underscored the collective commitment to accelerating vaccine development and improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes worldwide.