Healthy Skepticism Library item: 18537

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

Puliyel JM
Demanding accountability
BMJ 2010 Aug 4; 341:
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/extract/341/aug04_2/c4081

Abstract:

Lee and Harmer’s editorial marking 10 years of Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI)1 was published before discussion of a controversial press release issued by the World Health Organization jointly with GAVI and others in 2007 after the Bangladesh study on Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) vaccination.2 3 4 The press release suggested that the vaccine was useful whereas the study showed no benefit. No statistical difference was seen in the vaccination state of those with pneumonia or meningitis compared with controls. A post-hoc analysis presented without proper multiple testing was used to bolster the erroneous claim. Contrary to the implication in the press release, analysis of data from an earlier Indonesian probe study also found no benefit.5

This misleading press release looks like a smoking gun. GAVI (which includes representatives of vaccine manufacturers on its board) “encouraged” developing countries in Asia to avail themselves of the vaccine at subsidised rates. . . .