Confronting a New Era in Immunization
John Markels, Ph.D.
Leader. Healthcare Executive. Board Member and Advisor. Vaccines Advocate.
The series of crises we face today have left us with many questions and no easy solutions. These challenges require new levels of ingenuity, commitment, collaboration and empathy. As we embark on this path, we should ask ourselves - what can history teach us about overcoming adversity and redefining what is possible?
Few advancements in our history rival the impact of immunization against preventable diseases. It is a great triumph, a lasting testament to human ingenuity and tenacity that is rich in stories of adventure, daunting setbacks and surprising breakthroughs. From the Days of Tranquility – cease-fires negotiated in order to allow safe passage for immunization teams as they traveled to provide children with essential vaccinations – to the courageous efforts of Congolese healthcare providers delivering an investigational vaccine for Ebola in a dangerous conflict zone - the history of immunization is often one of defying the odds.
One of our greatest achievements in the field came forty years ago when smallpox was eradicated. Annihilating a virus is nearly impossible to achieve, but through a coordinated global effort that culminated in literally tracking down and isolating the last few remaining cases in remote corners of Somalia, smallpox was eliminated.
We have made extraordinary progress since that historic moment, but now there are troubling signs that we are entering a new era of adversity in immunization, defined by a range of setbacks from the novel coronavirus pandemic. On May 8, the same day the world marked the 40th anniversary of smallpox eradication, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that childhood vaccination rates plunged as a result of stay-at-home orders for many states. The same scenario is playing out in countries around the world.
What are the consequences of millions of children missing vaccinations recommended by public health authorities? It’s still unclear, but diseases that were once largely under control may be poised for a resurgence if vaccine coverage rates fall too far and for too long. As a result of delayed or cancelled doctor appointments, we could see increased outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases among young children, adolescents and adults. The public health consequences could be severe and may even be amplified should Covid-19 continue to surge among vulnerable populations. At the global level, dangerous diseases may make an alarming comeback in the absence of effective national immunization campaigns.
This scenario represents the opening of a second front in our war against the coronavirus pandemic. The risk of a resurgence in vaccine-preventable diseases threatens to erase years of public health progress and put millions at risk of infection. It’s a risk we cannot accept.
The solution to unrelenting disease is relentless invention. While the world is focused on inventing new tools to confront COVID-19, the same ingenuity and perseverance need to be applied to ensuring vaccine coverage does not falter in tandem. Health leaders around the country are working to increase public awareness of the importance of staying up to date on immunizations, especially in the midst of a pandemic. COVID-19 related restrictions are also prompting a conversation about how we can deliver vital health services, such as vaccination, while adhering to broader public health measures. These are important conversations that may help improve access to vaccines and medicines, and associated health outcomes, into the future.
Now is the time to work together to devise innovative ways for patients to receive vaccinations. Some attempts will fail, but many will succeed. It is equally important to reinforce funding support for programs that ensure vaccines reach vulnerable populations - all while reinforcing public trust in the safety and effectiveness of vaccines.
Like much of human history, the success of immunization programs is a record of individual and collective achievement. We all own a share in the legacy of health that has been built through vaccines and we all share a common responsibility to ensure that this legacy is passed on to future generations by helping to protect our families and ourselves. It’s time again for all of us to step up to the challenge.
Retired
5yA fine and timely piece. We have to keep an eye on all the balls and how we deliver them.
Independent Pharmaceuticals Professional
5yJohn, this is an excellent and well-articulated. My wife, Talia, believes that your article was the first one she had seen pointing out the danger of parents who have stopped vaccinating their children for childhood diseases. This is why she plans to disseminate your article to all organizations who see Latina and English-speaking children in Bucks County, Pa. and Hunterdon County, Nj. One of the key things Pharma can do is work in concert with the FDA to ensure that the clinical studies for a COVID-19 vaccine are rigorous and not compromised by political pressure. We need to better educate the Public on the safety and efficacy of vaccines and reinstill a belief and trust in science. Most importantly, we need to reinstate to all the guiding principles of George W. Merck who said “ Medicine is for the people, not for profits. It is important for us not only to discover and develop innovative medicines, but also to make sure that people have access to those medicines.” With a pandemic crisis such as COVID-19, the time is ripe for Pharma to collectively and synergistically bond together to bring forward a COVID-19 vaccine that is available globally to everyone at a fair price. Let’s augment “compassionate use” programs, share manufacturing facilities, and marshal resources to capitalize on each other’s best supply chain and distribution practices to ensure that raw materials are not limited and people can readily be vaccinated. The most positive benefit of such an approach would be to elevate the Public’s image of the U.S. Pharmaceutical firms and to help eradicate the stigmas of vaccine immunization.
Transformational Leadership, Creative, Problem-Solving, Innovator, Entrepreneur
5yWell said! My heart drops knowing where we are today. May God help us find a cure to fight the #COVID19 virus. Let’s continue to educate parents on the importance of vaccine immunity protection through every communication channel and platform. We can increase immunizations with “immunization hubs” in our neighborhood pharmacies, grocery stores chains (i.e Walmart, Kroger’s, etc.) and mobile immunization centers. We have taken our eyes off so many things since #COVID19 invaded our lives. Which means we lobby to the government for funding to allocate to the states that will develop a nationwide immunization initiative to protect our children, the future leaders.
Technical writing consultant in CMC and pharmaceutical development with a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. Proud American and Irish citizen!
5y“Confronting a new era of immunization”, sadly fails to identify the real risk to our children’s health in the post Covid-19 landscape. It is not children’s gaps in their vaccines administration that is of primary concern, but rather, concealing the safety and efficacy of vaccines from the public. For Merck’s vaccine Gardasil. “During the pre-licensure studies in 2006 the “placebo” arm of the study were conducted with a group of nearly [10,000 healthy girls] who receive Aluminum Hydroxyphosphate Sulfate (AAHS) – a known neurotoxin which has no therapeutic benefit. Then this AAHS-injected group was combined with “true placebo” a saline group [320 girls]. This masked serious safety issues of Gardasil and if revealed, would have prevented its licensure”. https://www.icandecide.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/ICAN-Reply-1.pdf#page=8 According to Gardasil’s package insert, women are 100 times more likely to suffer a severe event following vaccination with Gardasil than they are to get cervical cancer. While there are risks with taking vaccines, the benefit should immensely outweigh them. #medicine #covid19 #qualityassurance #drugdevelopment