English 
Francais 
عربي 
Global access to vaccines remains inequitable
In 2008, the number of children vaccinated worldwide was estimated to be 106 million.
A record celebrated in the last “State of the world’s vaccines and immunization” report, published jointly by the WHO, UNICEF and the World Bank. However, much remains to be done since “a billion more dollars are needed each year to immunize children at risk”, the three agencies point out.
Access to immunization is not yet equitable. We need to bridge the gap between rich and poor, between those who receive the essential vaccines and those who do not, stresses Dr Margaret Chan, Director General of the WHO. The populations of the most disadvantaged countries need to benefit from scientific progress.
Meanwhile, the financial situation of these countries presents an obstacle that is difficult to overcome, despite international aid. Even at heavily reduced prices, the cost of the new vaccines against pneumococcal infections, rotavirus diarrhoea and HPV is, in each case, higher than the cost of all the other traditional vaccines put together.
Which is why a success such as that achieved in the battle against measles brings new hope. Between 2000 and 2007, mortality associated with this disease was reduced by 74% worldwide thanks in particular to the aid provided by the GAVI Alliance. This example should encourage us to make fresh efforts to vaccinate all the world’s children against potentially fatal diseases, states Ann Veneman, Director General of UNICEF.
There are now at least 120 vaccines available in the world and more than 80 new products have reached the advanced clinical trial stage. These target more than thirty diseases against which at present there is no vaccine. So, there is reason for hope… but at what price?
Print this article
Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Send to a friend
Convert to pdf
Copyright Authorization
