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The value of vaccines
Vega Masignani1, Maria Lattanzi, Rino Rappuoli
1IRIS, Chiron S.r.l., Via Fiorentina 1, I-53100 Siena, Italy.
Vaccine
|May 24, 2003
Summary
Vaccine development faces significant non-technological barriers, threatening public health despite available technology. Underinvestment and low profitability risk existing vaccines and hinder new ones, impacting global health outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Vaccinology
- Health Economics
Background:
- Technological advancements enable vaccine development for most infectious diseases.
- Vaccines are increasingly endangered due to non-technological barriers, despite their potential to eradicate diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the non-technological barriers hindering vaccine development and accessibility.
- To underscore the economic and societal underestimation of vaccination's intangible benefits.
- To emphasize the risks associated with de-prioritizing preventive medicine.
Main Methods:
- Historical case study analysis (Siena, 1348) to illustrate disease impact.
- Economic and risk-benefit analysis of the vaccine industry.
- Qualitative assessment of societal value placed on preventive medicine.
Main Results:
- The vaccine industry faces high risks and low profitability, leading to decreased investment and potential loss of existing vaccines.
- Developing countries lack mechanisms for needed vaccines, while developed nations do not prioritize them.
- Societal failure to value intangible benefits of vaccination contributes to increased chronic illness.
Conclusions:
- Urgent need to address non-technological barriers in vaccine development and deployment.
- Re-evaluation of economic models and societal valuation of vaccines and preventive medicine is critical.
- Failure to prioritize vaccination poses a significant risk to public health and increases the burden of chronic diseases.