Billions pledged for vaccines

Monday February 1st, 2010

PC profits are to be ploughed into the development of vaccines against diseases which kill millions of children around the world, it has been announced.

Some ten billion pounds is to be pumped into vaccine work over the next ten years by the Gates Foundation, set up by Microsoft founder Bill Gates said.

The cash will be used to ensure that 90 per cent of children in developing countries get vaccines.

This will include new vaccines against pneumonia and severe diarrhoea. The plan involves introducing a malaria vaccine in 2014.

The Foundation says it hopes to save nearly nine million lives within ten years.

The pledge, which trebles the Foundation's commitment to vaccine research, was welcomed by the World Health Organisation.

Director general Dr Margaret Chan said: "Building on these achievements, we can take immunisation to the next level, with the expanded uptake of new vaccines against major killers such as pneumonia and rotavirus diarrhoea.

"An additional two million deaths in children under five years could be prevented by 2015 through widespread use of new vaccines and a ten per cent increase in global vaccination coverage."

Melinda Gates said: "Vaccines are a miracle - with just a few doses, they can prevent deadly diseases for a lifetime.

"We've made vaccines our number-one priority at the Gates Foundation because we've seen first-hand their incredible impact on children's lives."

Tags: Child Health | Flu & Viruses | World Health

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