More than 150 top scientists, researchers and public health experts from around the world will meet in Switzerland next week to present, debate and offer expert advice on cutting edge vaccine research and development, as well as vaccine policy and implementation.
Scientists are striving to tackle many old and newly emerging infectious diseases by developing new vaccines and improving technologies and tools. New manufacturers of vaccine are playing an ever-increasing role in the production of sufficient vaccines to immunize the world's children.
Immunization stands out as one of the greatest public health achievements of the 20th century, saving millions of lives. Smallpox was eradicated in 1979; polio, once a global epidemic, will soon be eradicated; neonatal tetanus has been eliminated from many countries; and measles deaths have decreased by 30% globally since 1999.
Among the issues that will be covered in the Global Vaccine Research Forum (7-10 June 2004) are: