Two Facts and a Question
Fact 1: Vaccines save lives.
Fact 2: Vaccines save money.
Ergo, investing in vaccines saves both lives and money.
Question: Why don’t we invest more resources in vaccines?
Some are. Pharmaceutical companies have invested in vaccines for decades. Researchers can spend their entire career developing a vaccine. Rotarians are almost defined by their commitment to the elimination of polio. Legions of community health workers inoculate thousands of children around the world. The GAVI Alliance has increased the profile of and cooperation around vaccines. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, with the Decade of Vaccines, has given efforts a $10 BILLION push – catalyzing a global movement to increase vaccine development, research and delivery. This pledge has put the limelight back on vaccines.
Vaccines are the unsung heroes of global health. In some ways, they are like having a good security team. You know they are working because nothing bad happens. You forget the protection is there, and you take it for granted…That is, until something bad happens.
Dr. Bill Foege has dedicated much of his life to protecting the world’s poorest citizens against ill health. GLOBAL HEALTH Magazine is humbled and honored to share his work. In his piece, When Words Fail, he celebrates every link in the vaccine chain – from the researchers to the box makers. The truth is words are inadequate to describe Dr. Foege’s contribution to public health. Whether it is in the field, or behind the scenes in circles of influence, he has worked tirelessly to improve the health of the world’s poorest citizens. We recognize him equally for his grace, his brilliance, his accomplishments and his dedication. He inspires us in his quiet way to do better, to push farther and to work harder in making the world a safer place for everyone.
Thank you, Dr. Foege.
Tina Flores
Editor-in-Chief
