The desired field-performance characteristics of new improved vaccines for the developing world.
Although the vaccination initiatives undertaken during the past decade are the cornerstones for protecting the world's children and helping to ensure their survival and development, the vaccines currently being employed may become obstacles for further disease reduction or eradication. Their characteristics complicate or increase the burden on health care infrastructures to maintain or expand vaccine delivery systems. This paper examines an experience with the vaccine technologies that currently are being used by immunization programs in developing countries, illustrating the field problems and obstacles associated with their use. It discusses the advantages and benefits that would accrue if new or improved, heat-stable, multi-antigen vaccines that require only one or two, preferably oral, doses were to become available.
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D002662:Child Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003906:Developing Countries; D016527:Drug Costs; D004355:Drug Stability; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000592:standards*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D007223:Infant; D010352:Patient Dropouts; D013673:Technology Assessment, Biomedical; D014611:Vaccination / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*