It can be done

Apr 7th, 2010 12:21 PM UTC
By David Cole

On Friday, David Lane announced a new series on the ONE Blog called “Vaccines: The Next 10 Years”. Throughout April, we’ll feature an array of guest posts looking at the next 10 years of vaccines. Today’s post comes from Julian Lob-Levyt, CEO of the GAVI Alliance:

Most of us who live in so-called “rich countries” hardly remember the many diseases we’ve been vaccinated against. But ask anyone in a developing country and, more than likely, they are well aware of how a simple jab in the arm or leg can save a life.

They’ve probably been witness to the modern day tragedy that so many people are completely unaware of. A tragedy that plays out in rural villages in Africa, Central America and Asia. Every day, common vaccine-preventable diseases are killing children.

In fact, vaccine-preventable diseases account for nearly 25% of all deaths among young children. Hospitals and clinics in developing countries are packed full of sick children. As a result, their parents are often forced into debt paying medical bills or burdened with a lifetime of responsibility caring for children who survive but are rendered disabled. Multiplied together, it is a tragedy that affects millions of children, their families and whole nations.

But, it’s a tragedy that simple and effective vaccines can end.

The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation, or GAVI, was launched in 2000 to improve and accelerate access to immunisation. Thanks to the strength of its member organisations and the support of its donors, the GAVI Alliance can show impressive results over the past decade: more than 250 million additional children immunised against life-threatening diseases and 5.4 million lives saved.

GAVI’s success demonstrates the power of immunisation. A simple, inexpensive shot can be the difference between life and death, a future of hope, not despair.

Julian Lob-Levyt

TAGS: GAVI, Vaccines, Vaccines 10 Years