Healthy Skepticism Library item: 13732

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

Mittal O.
Global access to vaccines: Vaccine requirements compete with basic needs of poor people
BMJ 2008 May 3; 336:(7651):975
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/extract/336/7651/975-a?etoc

Abstract:

Chokshi and Kesselheim make a strong case for developing countries to invest in an evidence base for developing and appropriately using newer vaccines.1 However, an infrastructure of the required research and information systems is entirely absent in developing countries and its creation would require the complete revamping of current public health systems. Those who promote vaccines as the most cost effective interventions for poor people never take into account the costs of erecting the health systems to deliver them and monitor their efficacy and safety.

The authors quote Amartya Sen to show the opportunities that open up for poor people in developing countries from modern health systems with delivery of vaccines. However, these people have competing needs for food, shelter, water, sanitation, and education. In reality, vaccines compete with these other needs. One example is that the widely prevalent malnutrition in children in India results from lack of health education . . .

o_mittal@rediffmail.com