Nature special issue focuses on vaccines

The May 26 issue of Nature explores vaccines, which the journal says "are responsible for some of the world's greatest public health triumphs." Though new vaccines for deadly diseases have been developed in the past 10 years, and more are in development, "funding is tight, and unfounded doubts about the safety of vaccines persist." The issue features stories on polio, measles, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, as well as issues surrounding vaccine rejection and hysteria about risk (5/26).

In related news, BMJ reports in an article summarizing statements made last week during the World Health Assembly last week in Geneva that "[f]irmer commitments are needed from governments, manufacturers, and donors to reduce prices of new lifesaving vaccines more quickly and to expand vaccination rates in poor countries, say international officials and experts." The article includes quotes from WHO Director-General Margaret Chan; Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; Daniel Spiegel, a former U.S. ambassador to WHO; Annah Wamae of Kenya's Ministry of Public Health; and the aid group Medecins Sans Frontieres (Zarocostas, 5/25).