PATH partners with Health Affairs to highlight importance of accelerated action on global immunization goals
With support from PATH, as well as Merck, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company, Ltd., and The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, Health Affairs has published its February issue, a theme issue on vaccines, which will be the topic of a February 9 launch briefing at the National Press Club in Washington, DC.
This issue comes at the midpoint of the Decade of Vaccines, a period designated by global health leaders for concerted effort to extend the benefits of immunization to people everywhere, in order to achieve a world free from preventable diseases. Despite commitments by 194 countries to achieving this vision through the Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP), the Decade of Vaccines is not on course to reach its potential, and the midpoint is an important opportunity to identify approaches to accelerate progress in the second half of the decade.
About the issue
Health Affairs' February issue explores the current environment for vaccine discovery, production, and delivery, and highlights new analysis on the return on investment and sustainability of financing for expanded immunization. Two PATH health economists, Deborah Atherly and Clint Pecenka, co-authored an article exploring optimal approaches to new vaccine introduction as countries transition from funding provided by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to self-financing. This, and other articles, will be presented at the February 9 briefing, which is open to the public.
US policy panel
Following the briefing, PATH will co-host an invitation-only policy luncheon to explore ways the U.S. government can maximize its leadership to accelerate progress. PATH's vice president of Public Health, Dr. David Fleming, will moderate the panel of U.S. government agency representatives, including:
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Ambassador Jimmy Kolker, Assistant Secretary for Global Affairs, US Department of Health & Human Services (HHS);
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Dr. Rebecca Martin, Acting Director of the Center for Global Health at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;
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Dr. Lee Hall, Chief, Parasitology and International Programs Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health;
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Dr. Bruce Gellin, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health and Director of the National Vaccine Program Office, HHS; and
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Ms. Susan McKinney, US Government's Focal Point for Gavi, US Agency for International Development.
Follow live tweets during the briefing and policy panel from @PATHadvocacy and join in the conversation with #HA_Vaccines.