• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Cart Facebook Twitter
Donate
  • About us
    • Who we are
    • What we do
    • Work for us
    • Contact us
  • News
  • Media

Group B Strep Support HomepageGroup B Strep Support

Working to stop GBS infection in babies

Helpline: 0330 120 0796
New to this site? START HERE →
Quick guide: What is Group B Strep?
Why and when should I test for group B Strep?
What does my test result mean?
Group B Strep infection – know the symptoms
  • Home
  • Information & Support
    • About Group B Strep
      • Group B Strep and pregnancy
      • I’ve tested positive for group B Strep
      • After your baby is born
      • Information if you’re not pregnant
      • Frequently asked questions
    • Group B Strep testing
      • When and why to order a group B Strep test
      • Different types of group B Strep tests
      • Where to order a group B Strep test
      • What does my test result mean?
    • Group B Strep infection in babies
      • Symptoms of group B Strep infection in babies
      • Treating babies for GBS infection
      • After your baby’s GBS infection
      • Group B Strep and stillbirth
      • Making a complaint or taking legal action
    • Support
      • Contact our Helpline
      • Bereavement Support
      • Peer Support
      • Your stories and experience
  • Get Involved
    • Donate
      • Donate online
      • Giving in memory
      • Pledge your birthday
      • Leave a gift in your will
      • Corporate Support
      • Other ways to give
      • How your donation helps
    • Fundraising and events
      • Fundraising events
      • Fundraising ideas
      • Fundraise in memory
      • Fundraise at work
      • Meet the community team
      • Fundraising Resources
      • Get your school involved
      • Tell us your plans
      • Fundraising hints and tips
      • Meet our inspirational fundraisers
      • Supporter promise
    • Campaign and raise awareness
      • Share your story on our website
      • Group B Strep Awareness Month 2022
      • Parliamentary activity
      • Latest Petition
    • Volunteer
      • Office volunteers
      • Events volunteers
      • Fundraising volunteers
    • Shop
      • All items
      • Information Materials and Publications
      • Clothing
  • Health Professionals
    • GBS Conference 2022
    • Leaflets & Posters Bulk Order form
    • UK Guidelines
    • Resources for health professionals & those in their care
    • The GBS3 Trial
    • Online training, study days and conferences
    • Changing rates of GBS infection in babies
    • Research Papers
LATEST NEWS

New Medical Advisory Panel Member joins Group B Strep Support

6th October 2017

We are delighted to welcome Dr Sonali Kochhar, MD, to Group B Strep Support’s Medical Advisory Panel.

Dr Kochhar has worked for 20 years in a leadership position for Global Phase I-IV Clinical Research Epidemiology and Safety Studies for Vaccines and Drugs including vaccines for pregnant women, infectious diseases and maternal and child programs which are conducted in USA, Europe, Asia, Africa and India in adult and paediatric populations. She led the development of Maternal and Neonatal Case Definitions and co-authored guidelines for collection, analysis and presentation of safety data for vaccines in pregnant women clinical trials and observational studies.

This work will help to support enhanced surveillance and collection of safety data across sites, countries, and programs worldwide. A standardised approach to safety data collection and reporting is likely to improve the acceptability and implementation of immunisation in pregnancy and help reduce illness and death among pregnant women and young infants globally.

Dr Kochhar was on the International Steering Committee of the WHO Consultation on Safety of Immunization in Pregnancy in Mothers and Newborn Children and served as the Session Chair for the WHO Pediatric Deliberative Session on neonatal events in maternal immunisation. She also works on Policy Development and Strategic Planning with international Government Partners, Public Health Authorities, Regulatory and Ethical Committees and Local Communities. This only touches the sides of her huge expertise!

Prof Philip Steer, chair of the GBSS Medical Advisory Panel, said:

“While we are making progress in our efforts to make the offer of screening for GBS available to all pregnant women in the UK, in the long term the future is with vaccines, which hold the promise of reducing early (and possibly even late) onset neonatal GBS disease without the need to give carriers antibiotics during labour. Sonali’s expertise in vaccine development will therefore be invaluable to GBSS in the years to come, making sure that we remain abreast of the latest developments.”

Dr Kochhar said:

“GBS is recognised as the most frequent cause of severe early-onset infection in newborn infants. The work being done by Group B Strep Support to help eradicate group B Strep (GBS) infections, including meningitis, in infants is commendable. I am delighted to join the Medical Advisory Panel and help provide up-to-date, scientific information on GBS, its prevention and treatment, new vaccines under development and their safety and effectiveness etc. to families and health professionals.”

 

Share this post:

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share on E-mail
More news
« Group B Strep Support and Royal College team up to provide patient information leaflet on group B Strep
The RCOG’s 2017 group B Strep green-top guidelines »

Footer

Group B Strep Support
PO Box 203
Haywards Heath
West Sussex
RH16 1GF

Helpline: 0330 120 0796
E: info@gbss.org.uk

Contact us

Office Hours:
Weekdays 9am to 5pm

Twitter Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Sign up for our emails

Group B Strep Support (GBSS) provides general information only and this should not be considered as a substitute for advice given by a health professional covering any specific situation.

GBSS © 2022 | Registered Charity 1112065 | Company 5587535 | Cookies | Privacy | Terms & Conditions

Helpline: 0330 120 0796