More progress has been made in vaccine pricing in the past 10 days than in the past decade. On Monday, GlaxoSmithKline and Merck announced their decision to slash the prices they charge the world's poorest countries for rotavirus vaccines by up to 68 percent. This decision marks the first major shift in vaccine pricing since the birth of the GAVI Alliance -- a public-private partnership working to improve access to immunization in developing countries -- in 2000.
Also on Monday, three emerging market manufacturers -- Serum Institute, Panacea Biotec and Bharat Biotech -- announced that they will provide DTP-Hepatitis B-Hib pentavalent vaccines at the lowest price these vaccines have ever been made available -- as low as $1.75 per dose. Merck announced that it will reduce the cost of its human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which prevents cervical cancer. And last week, UNICEF -- the world's leading vaccine purchaser -- announced that it will now make the prices it pays for these vaccines transparent to the public.
These announcements were good news to many of the key players in global immunization -- and show clear evidence of the "market shaping" impact of GAVI. When GAVI was launched in 2000 with $750 million over 5 years, there were widespread expectations that prices for common vaccines, such as the DTP-Hepatitis B-Hib pentavalent, mentioned above, would drop within that time period. These expectations were naïve and overly optimistic given that the vaccine industry typically needs at least 8-10 years to develop new vaccines. Nonetheless pressure mounted on GAVI to show progress in driving prices down, and so these announcements represent some welcome relief.
The first step forward was in November 2010 -- a decade into GAVI's work -- when it announced pricing for the pentavalent vaccine would drop below $3.00 USD per dose. The unprecedented announcements made in recent days further this progress, and represent the most significant industry steps to date to help increase vaccine access in the world's poorest regions.
With sufficient funding support from donors, GAVI plans to introduce rotavirus vaccines in 40 countries before 2015 and is looking to make HPV vaccines available to girls in the future. Both rotavirus and HPV vaccines came on the market in the U.S. in 2006. The new pricing arrangements signify significant progress in accelerating vaccine access when compared to many other vaccines from the past.
While the moral imperative and life-saving value of vaccines is clear, vaccine pricing is the result of market interactions between buyers and sellers. Vaccine manufacturers were able to make this unprecedented move, in part, because GAVI and the developing countries where these vaccines will be used are becoming a reliable market with credible, predictable demand and financing. By indicating their demand for vaccines years in advance of when they are needed, and by investing in the systems needed to deliver them, GAVI and the countries it serves have begun reducing the risks that previously characterized this market -- risks that companies previously passed along in the form of higher prices. The price drops observed this week are in large part a product of this evolution from a risky, unpredictable market into a credible, predictable one.
The recent announcements tell us a lot more about the seller than the buyer, an essential component of this equation. Better understanding the buyer's side is imperative to further improving global access to vaccines. Procurement, for example, is an important component of vaccine costs that is still relatively opaque. And while national financing for vaccines has been increasing since 2000 -- one of the most underappreciated success stories of the GAVI years -- the introduction of newer, more complex vaccines has also led to substantial overall increases in vaccine costs for countries like Ghana, Uganda, and Bangladesh. Consequently, vaccine financing and procurement will remain important issues in the years to come.
Broad agreements for vaccine financing, where every player knows what, how and when they must contribute to the process, are critical to expanding access. Driving down prices provides relief to buyers of current products. But realizing the full benefits of vaccines requires stable vaccine supply and sustained innovation, both of which generally come from vaccine manufacturers, and at least, in part, are funded by the margins that they gain from selling vaccines above manufacturing costs. Finding the right balance between affordable prices, innovation, and supply security will require hard work, patience, and a long-term view.
The timing of this week's announcements by industry could not have been better for GAVI, its donors or the children in developing countries who benefit from its work. Next Monday, June 13, GAVI's donors will come together in London to make new pledges of funding to support the Alliance's goal of reaching 240 million more children with lifesaving vaccines by 2015. With decreasing vaccine prices, donors can be more confident in the value that comes from their support to GAVI -- getting more bang for their buck.
Before these price declines, vaccines were already amongst the most cost-effective life-saving interventions available. With these lower prices, the value of vaccines and the case for investing in them, just got even stronger.
Follow Dr. Orin Levine on Twitter: www.twitter.com/orinlevine
William Schaffner, M.D.: 'Have We Politicized Our Public Health?'
You can see the outstandinÂg charitable work here
Africa
http://wwwÂ.skyjuice.Âcom.au/pprÂojects3.htÂm
Asia
http://wwwÂ.skyjuice.Âcom.au/pprÂojects.htm
Pacific
http://wwwÂ.skyjuice.Âcom.au/pprÂojects1.htÂm
Central and South America
http://wwwÂ.skyjuice.Âcom.au/pprÂojects4.htÂm
Middle East
http://wwwÂ.disasteraÂidaustraliÂa.org.au/nÂews/95-medÂia-releaseÂ-water-2ndÂ-sept2010.Âhtml
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Can you show me how and where GAVI is integratinÂg these types of solutions as it rolls out vaccines ...one at a time ?
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Using all the clean water generated for nothing by mechanisms only known to antivaccine activists, further inroads into improving the health of Africans can be made using the water to cure AIDS, malaria and every other known disease.
http://www.homeopathyforhealthinafrica.org/
In many ways homoeopathy is the perfect medicine for persons suffering from HIV/AIDS. AIDS means Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Homoeopathy works by stimulating and enhancing the immune system and therefore it is precisely in this disease that homoeopathy can be most effective.
Homoeopathy is a system of medicine with an outstanding record of cures, both in individual and epidemic diseases. Homoeopathy was extremely effective in the great flu pandemic of 1918, and the cholera epidemics of the 19th century. Homoeopathy has proved effective in yellow fever, whooping cough, polio, typhus, and malaria. Today, homoeopaths all over the world are having very promising results with AIDS patients, substantially improving their well being and restoring health.
While conventional medicine aims to fight the virus, and is able to buy time for the patient, there is no real change in the underlying health. In effect, conventional medicine only supplies a temporary relief, often with many severe side effects and at a great cost financially.
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Cost -- Nil.
Tipping the homeopath a chicken for his dinner after he has saved the planet doesn't count.
I thought someone who appears to advocate the use of Eucalyptus oil as a treatment for acute bacterial meningitis would also favor treatments of the homeopathic variety.
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Eucalypts are hardy trees originating in Australia with a variety of species. They are drought tolerant and hardy would be able to be planted cheaply and are suited to most conditions found in sub-Saharan Africa. Sustainable agri businesses could be set up with microfinancing fro small scale operations and loan assistance for larger concerns.
Harvesting, manufacturing and distribution of products would realise local employment and bring economic benefits.
wiki
The cineole-based oil is used as component in pharmaceutical preparations to relieve the symptoms of influenza and colds, in products like cough sweets, lozenges, ointments and inhalants.
Eucalyptus oil has antibacterial effects on pathogenic bacteria in the respiratory tract.
Inhaled eucalyptus oil vapor is a decongestant and treatment for bronchitis.
Cineole controls airway mucus hypersecretion and asthma via anti-inflammatory cytokine inhibition.
Eucalyptus oil also stimulates immune system response by affects on the phagocytic ability of human monocyte derived macrophages.
Eucalyptus oil also has anti-inflammatory and analgesic qualities as a topically applied liniment ingredient.
Eucalyptus oil is also used in personal hygiene products for antimicrobial properties dental care and soaps. It can also be applied to wounds to prevent infection.
Cineole based eucalyptus oil is used as an insect repellent and biopesticide. In the U.S., eucalyptus oil was first registered in 1948 as an insecticide and miticide
----------------------------------------------------
Differing applications for a variety of prevention and treatments including influenza and malaria and other mosquito borne diseases.
Cost - Nil Natural Resource after time(wild)
http://www.springerlink.com/content/lj8854678p0242mt/
"The activity of Eucalyptus globulus essential oil was determined for 120 isolates of Streptococcus pyogenes, 20 isolates of S. pneumoniae, 40 isolates of S. agalactiae, 20 isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, 40 isolates of Haemophilus influenzae, 30 isolates of H. parainfluenzae, 10 isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae, 10 isolates of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and two viruses, a strain of adenovirus and a strain of mumps virus, all obtained from clinical specimens of patients with respiratory tract infections.
H. influenzae, parainfluenzae, and S. maltophilia were the most susceptible, followed by S. pneumoniae.
The antiviral activity, assessed by means of virus yield experiments titered by the end-point dilution method for adenovirus, and by plaque reduction assay for mumps virus, disclosed only a mild activity on mumps virus. "
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"Despite the name, the organism causes many types of pneumococcal infections other than pneumonia, including acute sinusitis, otitis media, meningitis, bacteremia, sepsis, osteomyelitis, septic arthritis, endocarditis, peritonitis, pericarditis, cellulitis, and brain abscess.
S. pneumoniae is the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in adults, children, and dogs, and is one of the top two isolates found in ear infection, otitis media.[2] Pneumococcal pneumonia is more common in the very young and the very old."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streptococcus_pneumoniae
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Multilayered , sustainable using environmental based treatments and preventions.
In regards to Africa a plausible use would be the growing of plantations either farmed or let wild where oil could be harvested either on a large scale or by individuals.
Various products can be made including soaps , shampoos , cheap antiseptic cremas / salves , bandages may be soaked in clean water and eucalyptus solution.
I've seen laundry detergents both commercial and home made....
Eucalyptus oil is often added to steam water and inhaled to relieve congestion with colds and influenza....there's chest rubs as well.
Lots of exciting research to be undertaken .... imagine the situation in devastatingly poor communities that cannot purchase any of the typical western medicines , household cleaners , detergents etc.
They could literally pick it off a tree.
Tea tree oil has long been recognised for it's medicinal qualities by Aboriginal peoples of Australia. It is 'bush medicine' that would thrive in geography and climate of sub Saharan Africa.
Scientific studies support a role for the topical application of tea tree oil in skin care and for the treatment of various diseases and conditions.
Effective against bacteria, viruses, fungal infections, mites such as scabies, and lice such as head lice.
A 2008 study of in vitro toxicity showed a tea tree oil preparation was more effective against head lice than permethrin, a popular pharmaceutical remedy.
Tea tree oil has activity against the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, including MRSA.
There is some very limited research that has shown that tea tree oil may have topical antiviral activity, especially against the herpes virus (cold sores), chicken pox, shingles blisters, etc.
Through clinical studies, tea tree oil has also been proven effective for treating toenail fungus.
Also for tinea.
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Malaria
Pesticidal Properties
Pure tea tree oil is an extremely potent pesticide that does not repel insects, but is very toxic to them. Blood-feeding insects, such as mosquitos or sand flies, are instantly killed when contact is made with tea tree oil. It does not, however, work when applied on the skin.
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Cost - Nil natural resource.
Soap / Shampoo / Toothpaste / Mouth wash are all viable
http://www.buyteatreeoil.com/tea-tree-soap.html
"Soap wasn't invented by Procter&Gambel."
regards
ps above post sourced info from wiki but well known in our household pragmatically.
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Clean fresh water can be delivered economicalÂly via water purifiers.
Initial retail cost is $5000 / $3500 with tax and supply discounts.
http://wwwÂ.disasteraÂid.ca/indeÂx.php?p=2_Â8_SkyJuiceÂ-Water-PurÂification-ÂSystem
Low pressure, high-flow, ultra-filtÂration technology meeting World Health OrganisatiÂon requiremenÂts for safe drinking water.
The water purificatiÂon unit is a lightweighÂt, sustainablÂe and affordable water purificatiÂon unit for humanitariÂan projects and emergency and disaster relief:
* Produces up to 1000 litres of clean drinking water per hour
* No power or chemicals required for the purificatiÂon process
* No replacemenÂt filters required
* EffectivelÂy purifies most non-saline surface and ground waters
* Quick and easy setup produces clean water instantly
* Is lightweighÂt - easily stored, transporteÂd and redeployed
* Can be wall mounted or freestandiÂng
* No technical skills needed for setup, operation or maintenancÂe
* Gravity fed with low or high water pressure set up options
* Can be used for short term or long term applicatioÂns
* Can be used alone or configured into multi-unit banks
* Totally sustainablÂe
* Long service life
*Essential for Oral RehydratioÂn Therapy - which has an 93% efficacy in saving lives.
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With a budget of some $25.5 million dollars this programme could save 5 million lives.
* Low cost vaccines at $2.00 a dose supplied by third world manufacturÂers - $25.5 million
* Approx cost currently $3.50 a dose supplied by western manufacturÂers - $41.5 million
Affordable for - UNICEF / GAVI
Where on earth have I suggested vaccines are the only strategy to prevent disease?
I support their use as a central plank in a "multilayered" approach, which includes ALL the interventions he mentions below.
JRS, however, does everything he can to play the importance of vaccination down, even when his own sources state it is the main preventative element, even with diarrheal disease (more so than clean water).
JRS also fails to acknowledge that diseases spread by the respiratory inhalation route cannot be prevented by supplying clean water and sanitation. These diseases include pneumonia, measles, meningitis, influenza, pertussis, diphtheria. For these diseases, vaccination is the crucial element.
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PS: In the time it took me to write this post (3 minutes), NINE more children have died from a vaccine-preventable disease.
Malawi sub Saharan Africa
Budget $1 million dollars
Methodology - Rotavirus vaccination one generation of children at a cost of $3.50 per dose x 2 + AMC Subsidy $3.50 Total Cost per child $10.50.
Estimate lives saved - 50% efficacy for only 95,238 children
Other apparent benefits - ?
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The JRS / MSF Clean Water / Vaccination plan
Malawi sub Saharan Africa
Budget $1 million dollars
Methodology - Rotavirus vaccination one generation of children at a cost of $2.00 per dose x 2 (No Subsidy) + Clean Water purification .70c Total Cost per child $4.70.
Estimate lives saved - 93% efficacy for 212,765 children.
Other apparent benefits.
Clean water and vaccines would reduce -
Water borne diseases
Other diarrhea conditions
Water washed diseases
Water based diseases - ie parasitic worms
Effects of cuts and infections
Reduce the incidence of disease complications through provision of clean sterilised equipment and bedding
Reduce the incidence and severity of dental conditions causing chronic pain
Reduce the incidence of a variety of skin diseases
Reduce the incidence of eye diseases and blindness
Reduce the incidence of ear infections and subsequent hearing loss
Increase overall health and nutrition of all community members
Food washed and cleaned
Increase the effectiveness of other medications
Provide cleaning for cooking and eating utensils
Help strengthen the immune system in infants , children , pregnant women , and other community members.
....and we haven't talked about the real economic, social and political benefits
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JRS / MSF plan = 197 871 lives saved plus another significant population of other community lives saved , disabilities averted and other positive outcomes.
Wow .... How could anyone argue against such a robust health initiative ?
Areas of improvement, critical pressure points in implementation those sort of things...
We are talking about a strategy that has a 400% increase and counting on lives that could be saved.
Angola Press - 6/11/11
* Council on Health Research for Development (COHRED)
"...vaccines supported by GAVI are produced almost entirely in Europe, North America, Latin America and Asia"
"Sustainable development in Africa would be greatly enhanced if local vaccine production and regulation are included in the global targets"
"The transfer of R&D, production, procurement and regulatory capacities will take time but holds the promise of real development well beyond the particular conditions being tackled..."
"South Africa is creating the Biovac Institute and Tunisia is gearing up its capacity to produce vaccines. Other African countries, such as Kenya and Uganda, also have facilities that could, with some support, become quality producers."
-------------------------------------------------------
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
"We believe GAVI could be stronger in including low cost producers rather than paying companies who have developed vaccines originally for use in richer countries. [The vaccines] need to be better suited to the countries they are used in."
"US$1.5 billion has been allocated for subsidy payments to pharmaceutical companies but nothing is done to speed up the development of competitive products," said Hill. For example, she said that suppliers from emerging countries have said they could sell similar pneumococcal vaccine products at US$2 per dose - more than 40 per cent less than GAVI pays.
------------------------------------------------------
Which strategy is sustainable and in the best interests of Africa and other developing countries ?
Analysis: vaccine programmes come under the microscope
Debate is growing over how best to run vaccination programmes, with charities and aid agencies critical of pharma company links
"MSF and Oxfam also believe the decisions made by Gavi are skewed by the presence on its board of pharma companies – GSK-Bio has just been replaced by Crucell, which earns more than a third of its income from the pentavalent vaccine for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B and Hib, which is bought by Gavi.
The two agencies say the companies should step down from the Gavi board.
"Pharmaceutical companies' representation on Gavi's board creates a conflict of interest. The current structure is far too cosy," said Mohga Kamal-Yanni, Oxfam senior policy adviser."
-------------------------------------------
Guardian UK - 6th June 2011
Vaccine price cuts win praise - but £2.2bn funding gap remains
"Oxfam and Médecins sans Frontierès, whose doctors give vaccines in the field, blame the $3.7bn black hole in vaccine funds on a system in which Gavi bulk-buys vaccination programmes at unsustainable prices from western companies."
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So it looks as though taxpayers will be asked to front a funding shortfall primarily caused either by inefficient negotiations or overpricing ?
For a strategy that is probably not as efficacious as portrayed and in the best interests of those people it is supposed to serve .
I seriously doubt any of the people interviewed in the story you poached would agree with your public health policies and claims, specifically, in your on-going efforts to vilify vaccines.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110322172213.htm
ScienceDaily (Mar. 23, 2011)
* "Deaths from diarrhea -- a major killer of young children in poor countries -- could be almost halved if already available interventions such as breastfeeding, hand washing with soap, and improved household water treatment were widely implemented."
* "Christa Fischer Walker from the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, USA, and colleagues found that a complete package of interventions, including access to clean water and improved sanitation, would reduce child diarrhea deaths by up to 92% and would only cost just over US$3.24 per person"
* "The authors .....seven prevention interventions (breastfeeding, vitamin A supplementation, hand washing with soap, improved sanitation, improved water source, better household water treatment, and rotavirus vaccination) and three treatment interventions (oral rehydration solution, zinc supplementation, and antibiotics for dysentery) in 68 countries that together account for 95% of child deaths."
-------------------------------------------------
Compared to -
Routine Rotavirus Vaccination in Brazil Has Reduced Diarrhea Deaths in Children
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110419205519.htm
ScienceDaily (Apr. 21, 2011)
"In the three years following the introduction of rotavirus vaccination, diarrhea-related mortality rates and admissions among children aged under five years were, respectively, 22% and 17% lower than expected, with a cumulative total of 1,500 fewer diarrhea deaths and 130,000 fewer hospital admissions."
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Same cost - Different outcomes.
ScienceDaily (Oct. 12, 2009)
"Low osmolarity ORS and zinc are inexpensive, safe and easy to use and have the potential to dramatically lower diarrhea morbidity and mortality," said Robert Black, MD, MPH, co-author of the article, chair and Edgar Berman Professor of International Health at the Bloomberg School."
"Of 68 priority countries, very few have zinc widely available and coverage within all countries is extremely limited. Ranked by leading global economists as one of the most cost-effective intervention for advancing human development, zinc supplementation in diarrhea management should be a top global health priority," said Christa Fischer Walker, PhD, MHS
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Low cost Zinc supplementation is also effective in reducing pneumonia mortality ...
Prevention of diarrhea and pneumonia by zinc supplementation in children in developing countries: pooled analysis of randomized controlled trials. Zinc Investigators' Collaborative Group. J Pediatr 1999; 135: 689-697.
Conclusion - Zinc supplementation in children in developing countries is associated with substantial reductions in the rates of diarrhea and pneumonia, the 2 leading causes of death in these settings.
Zinc supplementation reduces the incidence of acute lower respiratory infections in infants and preschool children: a double-blind, controlled trial
Pediatrics 1998; 102: 1-5.
Conclusion - A dietary zinc supplement resulted in a significant reduction in respiratory morbidity in preschool children. These findings suggest that interventions to improve zinc intake will improve the health and survival of children in developing countries.
Perhaps you should look up the study instead of relying on the abstract.
(I find it's a good idea to read the studies I use as your evidence. Give it a go yourself - you might be surprised)
It discusses the relative impact of the various preventative interventions, and lists their individual effects.
(Table 2)
http://www.plosmedicine.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pmed.1000428
Rotavirus vaccine = 74% death reduction
Improved sanitation = 69%
Access to safe water = 17%
A bit different to what you imply, which is that rotavirus vaccine has minimal effect.
BTW, note your first quote....it's a projection, not an actual measurement. Look for words such as "estimated" and "could be". But you're right...different outcomes because one is purely theoretical.
People living in these communities do not have access to clean water and sanitation - (not that they are unhygenic - there is a big difference).
I'm concerned that you are not taking the health and mortality of children and infants seriously.
Common sense would dictate that clean fresh water and sanitation reduces disease and provides positive health outcomes in any number of areas previously listed.
Why wouldn't you multilayer a health policy around that provision ?
John Richard Smith: GAVI's work is humanitarian. It estimates that it has already helped prevent ~5 million deaths and aims to prevent another 4 million more in the next few years.
You raise an important point that improved access to clean water and sanitation is another cost-effective health intervention. You also point out that with the right supply & demand situation many of the promising technologies can become more affordable to people in less developed areas. Your points make my point. When supply/demand dynamic is not right, these technologies are unaffordable and don't reach people who need them. GAVI's helps correct this in global vaccination.
Lastly, while safe water is important for billions of people, it will not protect children from rotavirus, which infects every child by the age of 2 years, even in the USA where we have safe water. So rotavirus + safe water are important for combating diarrheal diseases, the no. 2 killer of children.
Taximom, HeatherXW: The blog post was about affordable pricing, not vaccine safety. The sad fact is that unaffordable prices mean that millions of children die each year from preventable diseases. This week's news was relevant to their access.
wrobbins: thanks for the point about the balance between risks and benefits. The balance is strongly in favor of vaccinations in developing countries, where easily treated infections like pneumonia and diarrhea often lead to death.
I remain unconvinced that the strategy as outlined ie vaccination is evidence based , effective and in the best interests of third world communities.
As outlined below safe clean drinking water can be supplied to third world communities at the approximate cost of .70c per community member.
Layer this on top of a vaccine programme and the total cost for eliminatioÂn of not just rotavirus but any number of waterborne diseases and "dirty water" health complicatiÂons comes to a cost of some $4.20 and I think that we can see already which strategy makes sense.
Clean drinking water reduces diseases and other health complicatiÂons (not just rotavirus)
Clean water to wash cooking utensils and food preparatioÂn
Clean water for animals and livestock.
Clean water for sterilisatÂion of medical equipment.
Clean water for other medical needs.
Clean water for infant formulas and other infant care.
Clean water increases dramatically the mother's health and thus her newborns health.
Clean water is an absolute ...
....leads to better educationaÂl, economic and health outcomes for all community members.
....and not just one set of children but continuing generationÂs of children and their children and their children's children..Â....
All this will drive economic growth and employmentÂ. Better outcomes lead to real change in major social areas such as health , housing and employmentÂ.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Let's be clear I support safe vaccination programmes it seems that the strategy is seriously flawed.
"In 2000, UNICEF responded to Mabuia’s appalling child mortality rates by helping the Angolan government to build a pipeline from a river to the community. A filtering system was added to ensure that the water was clean and safe. Latrines, washbasins, taps and showers were also installed to improve sanitation. The community created a committee that now maintains the system. People were also taught good hygiene practices.
The results were exceptional. ***Diarrhoea rates dropped to almost zero and child deaths plummeted.*** Girls were suddenly freed from hours of walking to and from the river, which allowed them to better concentrate on their schoolwork. Mothers found more time to grow crops, which could be sold to boost the family income.
“A mother must take care of her children, but we cannot do that when we have only dirty water,†Ms. Kituxi said. “This project has changed the fortunes of this village. Look at my son — he is healthy. This is what every mother prays for: that there will be no more tears.â€
"Mabuia, however, remains the exception rather than the rule in Angola. Nearly three decades of civil war devastated water systems across the country. Sanitation coverage declined in urban areas from 62 to 56 per cent and in rural areas from 19 to 16 per cent. A mere $100 to $125 could provide a household with a pit latrine, UNICEF estimates. It would cost about $8,000 to drill a borehole that could supply water to about 400–500 people in Angola. Once installed, only $250 a year would be needed to maintain the infrastructure. A well costs even less, an estimated $2,000–$2,500."
Don't pay too much attention to the antivaccine invasion, who try and twist every topic onto the inevitable issue of how "toxic" vaccines are.
In particular, none of them seems to realise that diseases like measles, pertussis, pneumococcal disease, meningococcal disease, influenza and diphtheria are spread through droplet inhalation. In other words, the cleanest water supplies in the world would have zero impact on their incidence, and vaccines are vital in fighting their burden.
As new information becomes available I'm sure other posters will continue to be informed by evidenced based information.
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Global Illness and Deaths Caused by Rotavirus Disease in Children
Umesh D. Parashar et al
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
"In 1985, de Zoysa and Feachem published their landmark review of the global prevalence of rotavirus disease (1).
Their analyses indicated that rotavirus accounted for 6% of diarrhea episodes and 20% of deaths caused by diarrhea in children
Quote -
"...GAVI and the developing countries where these vaccines will be used are becoming a reliable market with credible, predictable demand and financing."
Quote
"The price drops observed this week are in large part a product of this evolution from a risky, unpredictable market into a credible, predictable one."
Quote
"Driving down prices provides relief to buyers of current products. But realizing the full benefits of vaccines requires stable vaccine supply and sustained innovation, both of which generally come from vaccine manufacturers, and at least, in part, are funded by the margins that they gain from selling vaccines above manufacturing costs."
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Sounds more like inventing new market opportunities than charitble work.
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Provision of fresh clean drinking water which would virtually wipe out the need for a Rotavirus vaccine costs some .70 per person and lasts for generations.
A clean water purificatiÂon system for 500,000 people would cost approximatÂely $350,000 even cheaper with supply and demand forces and the engagement of new technologiÂes as they come on line.
Reference?
Unesco.
http://www.un.org/ecosocdev/geninfo/afrec/vol19no4/194children.html
Gardasil has been linked to dozens of deaths and severe adverse events, including paralysis and autoimmune disorders. Hep B by itself has been linked causatively to both MS and lupus; combining it with 4 other vaccines with no long-term safety tests doesn't seem to interest educated people. Rotavirus is unlikely to infect breastfed infants in the US, where sanitation is good.
Sounds like this is yet another propaganda campaign to make the pharmaceutical industry look good, and to divert the public attention away from the lack of ethics they so often demonstrate.
We don't see any reporting of Poul Thorsen, vaccine researcher whose studies were tweaked to purport vaccine safety, being indicted for fraud...
Yes it's a trade-off, but I believe this is the very definition of "no-brainer."
Also, you need boosters (3 shot series) up to the approved age of 27. After that you are only theoretically protected from the infection for a few years. Cervical cancer deaths that are linked to HPV infection affect middle aged women.
Also, according to the vaccine manufacture the placebo in their safety trials was aluminum (neuro-toxin) a component of the vaccine.
Death is but one side affect of this vaccine. Here is a recent peer-review regarding HPV vaccination:
"CONCLUSIONS. Have been described seizures, autoimmune disorders such as Guillain-Barre syndrome, transverse myelitis, or motor neuron disease, probably adverse effects following immunization by HPV vaccine. So we suggest that vaccine may trigger an immunological mechanism leading to demyelinating events, perhaps in predisposed young."
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21425100
According to S.A.N.E. Vax:
"Based on the VAERS Reports, a significant number of post-vaccinated women are now developing cervical precancerous and cancerous lesions. " The genotypes involved in these cases have not been released, perhaps not even surveyed. Readers here may want to join in this group's call for the release of this data or the rescinding of approval of these vaccines.
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110614005624/en/S.A.N.E.-Vax-Announces-Medical-Consumers-Start-Letter
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/13/us-crime-research-funds-idUSTRE73C8JJ20110413
"Why is the fact that they are lowering prices on vaccines that FEWER and FEWER people want considered 10 years of progress?"
That's laughable!