Global vaccines for HIV and Cancer not far away from Science’s reach

Experts say passing the Malaria barrier could work as a template in future

WHO has been in mission mode to aid research and funding on medical projects aiming to explore possibilities of prevention from life-threatening diseases like HIV and Cancer. On 25^th April as part of the initiative, during World Immunization Week, the global health body launched the world's first malaria vaccine. Scientists are also testing a vaccine for HIV, and they are working on vaccines against cancer.

"Vaccines are one of the greatest inventions of humankind," said Dr. Peter Hotez, a professor at the Baylor College of Medicine. Diseases like smallpox, polio and measles can only be transmitted from one person to another. They can't be wiped off the face of the earth.

Immunization

Every year it is estimated that among under 5-year-olds, about 2.5 million deaths are averted and an additional 1.5 million deaths can be avoided with improved global vaccination coverage. Immunisation is one of the key health programmes that have been accepted by the United Nations. In May 2012, 194 member states of the world health assembly came forward and developed "The Global Vaccine Action Plan", a framework to provide universal access to immunisation.

UNICEF, WHO, Central Government State Governments and the medical fraternity have a key role to play in achieving these goals. There are currently thirty vaccine-preventable diseases.

In India, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has been actively promoting immunisation. Pakistan and Afghanistan are the last remaining countries where the polio virus is still spreading. Addressing the demand side barriers like financial constraints, opportunity costs, knowledge and prioritisation can improve the situation.

The market Factor

The sales of new and costly vaccines are higher in developed countries which account for more than half of the total vaccine sales globally. Broadly, the vaccines market is categorized into pediatric vaccines and adult vaccines. The pediatric vaccines segment accounts for a significant market share of 57.6% of the total vaccines market.

Cause for Concern

Between 2010 and 2017, an average of 21.1 million children missed their first dose of the measles vaccine, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) revealed on Wednesday. The context of health services has to be evaluated.

Hope

HIV vaccine trials are going on in South Africa, and research is being done to develop an antibody-based HIV vaccine. For the global health fraternity to prioritise well-being concerns it is imperative that awareness programmes are in sync with particular geographical challenges of that region.