Financial Challenges in Vaccination and Role Of Health Technology Assessment As A Tool For Assessing New Vaccines In Developing Countries
Abstract
Each year, vaccine-preventable diseases affect the lives of thousands of children across the globe, taking a toll on human lives and economies, particularly in developing countries. Vaccination has been the most effective medical intervention that not only reduces morbidity and mortality caused by infectious diseases but also improves health and quality of life. But, its implementation remains low and gaps exist between National vaccination goals and actual vaccination rates, predominantly in developing countries due to financial constraints, lack of infrastructure for vaccine delivery, competition with high priority vaccines and introduction of newer vaccines. Plugging these gaps requires a multifaceted national strategy: to improve access to recommended vaccinations by improving the financing system for vaccination in developing countries and developing public-private partnerships. Successful strategies to improve vaccination coverage rates pave the way to reductions in morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Health Technology Assessment
…show more content…
Almost one-third of deaths among children under five are preventable by vaccines. In 2013, 21.6 million children were not vaccinated [ ].An estimated 1.5 million children die each year from a disease preventable by vaccine (i.e one child in every twenty seconds) Nearly one in five infants is still left out of the life-saving benefits of vaccines and is exposed to a far higher risk of death and disability. An estimated 1.5 million children die each year from a disease preventable by vaccine (i.e one child in every twenty seconds) [1]. More than 70 per cent of these world’s unimmunized children live in only ten countries, mainly in Africa and Asia