Working in collaboration with the Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) who are developing a vaccine to prevent rheumatic fever, we are working to develop a site in a developing country (Fiji) to trial this vaccine when it is ready, so that we know if it will prevent rheumatic fever and other diseases caused by the same bacterium (group A streptococcus) that are relevant to developing countries and the Aboriginal population. To do this, we are undertaking a number of studies to document the burden of group A streptococcal diseases in Fiji, determine whether the QIMR vaccine will cover the bacterial strains circulating in Fiji, and to prepare the way for subsequent vaccine trials.

We have already documented a large burden of group A streptococcal diseases in Fiji, which is leading to increased public health focus on controlling them in Fiji. Should we successfully conduct vaccine trials in Fiji, this will have major implications around the world.