About Vaccines for Development

February 15, 2005

CGD Immunization is one of the safest ways to reduce disease and poverty in developing countries. But 3 million people die every year of vaccine-preventable diseases; and that will likely rise to 4.5 million when rotavirus and pneumococcus vaccines are available, if past experience is any guide. And progress towards vaccines suitable for HIV, malaria and tuberculosis is painfully slow.

This web site, Vaccines for Development, addresses key policy issues and offers resources for professionals interested in improving access to, and development of, vaccines for developing countries.

While this site will address many topics, one area of focus will be the exploration of advance market commitments to promote private industry research and development of vaccines. These “pull” mechanisms, explored in detail in the recent book “Making Markets for Vaccines”, offer an approach which is increasingly being considered by senior policymakers.

But advance market commitments are only part of the answer, and only part of what this blog is about. We’ll be looking more broadly at the environment for the development, production, regulation, procurement, distribution, use and effectiveness of vaccines in developing countries.

This site is edited by Owen Barder and supported by the Center for Global Development. Questions about this site can be addressed to Owen Barder at obarder@cgdev.org,

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One Response to “About Vaccines for Development”

Terry Says:
April 19th, 2005 at 6:27 pm

Please consider these issues.

1. Vaccines need to have SAFE INGREDIENTS . . no more mercury, aluminum, formaldehyde, phenol/phenoxyethanol, MSG, etc. What about saline?

2. Vaccines tend to confuse and overuse the immune system by putting it on constant alert for various rare germs, leaving it in a weakened state to deal with pollens, molds, other allergens, and common diseases. The result is a steady increase in allergies, asthma, and a litany of other problems (often caused by the toxic metals, etc. in the vaccines).

3. With so many MORE vaccines coming down the pike, the potential for overworking our immune systems is ever-growing – potentially creating a very poor quality of life for millions of people.

4. Safe vaccines for devastating, incurable diseases would be a good thing. TB, AIDS, even cancer may someday be successfully addressed through improved vaccinations . . ie. nasal sprays vs injections (which bypass the normal immune response).

5. Better public education about the commercialism, advantages, and dangers of today’s vaccines needs to be promoted. So, people can make informed choices as to which of the many vaccines that are becoming available they feel their children and they may need.

6. Forced vaccination should not be dictated by any government, or by those who will profit commercially or politically, and should be abolished in a sophisticated society. Actually, forced invasive medical procedures should be illegal anywhere!