The New Age of Vaccines

IN THE 20TH century, vaccines virtually changed the landscape of public health. In the 21st century, it is anticipated that vaccines will play an equally significant role, addressing issues that include increased life expectancy, emerging infections and childhood mortality in developing countries. In this, our fourth anniversary issue of BioSupply Trends Quarterly, we look at the vaccines market on many fronts.

Since the year 2000, the global vaccines market has nearly tripled — largely attributed to advances made in the first decade of this century. But as our article “The Role of Vaccines in Global Disease Prevention” examines, some diseases have continued to represent a global health challenge. Fortunately, with new manufacturing technology, partnerships between the public and private sectors and new funding avenues, expanding immunization coverage is putting developing countries on more equal footing with industrialized nations.

Strides in vaccines research and technology also are providing better protection against many childhood diseases. As our article “The Childhood Vaccine Series: Balancing Health, Safety and Stakeholder Concerns” illustrates, many diseases are dwindling and being eradicated, eliminating the need for some required immunizations, while other diseases are resurfacing due to parental concerns about the growing number of vaccines on the CDC’s recommended list and their safety. The healthcare community is addressing these concerns through reduced exposure to the number of antigens in vaccines, as well as with the development of new combination vaccines that will reduce the number of needle sticks a child receives. It is hoped that these changes will put vaccine safety fears to rest and increase timely vaccination coverage.

Few areas of vaccine development have experienced the explosive growth occurring within the field of influenza vaccines. Today, some 13 influenza vaccines are on the market, with more on the horizon. In our article “Choosing Influenza Vaccines,” we look at the quest by manufacturers to make influenza vaccines that will provide increased protection with multi-strain and egg-free formulations. This year alone, new quadrivalent and cell-based vaccines have been introduced, and more are undoubtedly in the pipeline. These new vaccines boast several advantages: It is estimated that had they been previously available, quadrivalent influenza vaccines could have saved thousands of lives during the last decade. And, in the event of a pandemic, cell-based vaccines can be manufactured quicker, allowing for a faster response to possible shortages. The good news is we are more prepared for a pandemic outbreak than we ever have been. And, it is predicted that within the next decade, a universal flu vaccine could be developed that will provide even greater protection and reduce vaccination to every five to 10 years as opposed to annually.

 Finally, we take a look at a topic at the forefront of public health concerns. The current bird flu in China is raising fear that a new avian flu pandemic could arise, mimicking the Spanish flu of 1918 that killed millions. In reality, the risk of a deadly pandemic is minor. To put the risk in perspective, our article “Myths and Facts: Bird Flu” explains the misconception by many about how the flu virus mutates and spreads, as well as sheds light on how the World Health Organization and governments around the world are preparing for such an event.

As always, we hope you enjoy this issue of BioSupply Trends Quarterly and find the content educational and insightful. We welcome your comments.

Helping Healthcare Care,

Patrick M. Schmidt

Publisher