Healthy Skepticism Library item: 13731

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

Mathew A.
Global access to vaccines: Vaccine sale is not tailored to improving India’s health
BMJ 2008 May 3; 336:(7651):975
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/extract/336/7651/975?etoc

Abstract:

Measles is still a big killer, especially in poor malnourished children in India. Yet professional bodies have yet to recommend to the government the inclusion of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine in the national immunisation programme.1 The Indian Academy of Paediatrics has, however, recommended vaccination against hepatitis B. The incidence of hepatitis B in India is lower than originally thought, so the costs of vaccination may outweigh the benefits, and its inclusion in the national programme may not be justified.

Vaccination against Haemophilus influenzae type B is also being promoted aggressively by drug companies with the acquiescence of professional academies. Infections, especially meningitis, caused by H influenzae in young children are serious, causing a high proportion of death and disability. The epidemiology of H influenzae in India and its incidence in Indian children are not known, so the recommendations have been made without a risk-benefit analysis.

dralexmathew@gmail.com