Gates says #vaccine investment offers best returns
Bill Gates called on Tuesday for strengthened immunization programs against infectious diseases to save 4 million lives by 2015 and 10 million lives by 2020, saying it was the best possible investment in global health.
He said five or six new vaccines could be available by the end of the decade and urged pharmaceutical manufacturers to make them affordable for poor countries.
"If donors are generous, we will prevent 4 million deaths by 2015. By 2020, we can prevent 10 million deaths," Gates, co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, said.
The Gates Foundation spends about $2 billion in grants each year for global health programs to tackle AIDS, malaria and other diseases, funding both research and delivery of medicines.
After the United States, it is the second biggest contributor of voluntary donations to the WHO, giving nearly $220 million toward its two-year budget of $4.5 billion for 2010-2011, according to the agency. Read the complete article
If you are interested in this article you may be interested in attending the World Vaccine Congress Washington. Visit the website for more information
at 3:54 am
I would like to suggest that the infrastructure utilizing a vaccine management program such as we have developed, not only provides significant cost savings, but in addition saftey in vaccine administration.Insuring the right vaccine is given at the right time prevents over utilization and subsequent costs. Finally, creating a national/global database is within our reach and allow providers and patients with access to vaccine data, saving time.
It is investing in the infrastructure and advanced technology of the vaccine program that will ultimately save money.