Researchers and advocates form new vaccine foundation

Researchers and "advocates for all vaccine research today launched yet another effort to increase funding and coordination," ScienceInsider reports. The Foundation for Vaccine Research "has recruited a board stacked with several prominent HIV/AIDS researchers," the article notes (Cohen, 6/8). According to a foundation press release, its "mission is to raise global awareness of the need for increased, long-term, flexible funding for vaccine research against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and other infectious diseases, including neglected tropical diseases, as well as universal vaccines for influenza and a vaccine to avert pandemic influenza" (6/8).

In related news, ScienceInsider reports that Alan Bernstein will be stepping down as president of the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise and "Jose Esparza, the senior advisor on HIV vaccines at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, will serve as interim president until the board selects a new one" (6/8).