Hohoe (V/R), Dec. 6, - Millions
of children in the poorest countries could soon be protected against typhoid
fever following the Gavi Board’s approval for a support window for typhoid
conjugate vaccines (TCVs).
The Board has made available
US$30 million through 2020 for the Alliance to provide targeted technical
support to address specific challenges in countries after transition, according
to its release to Ghana News Agency.
Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Gavi
Board Chair, said “typhoid fever imposes a dramatic burden on children in the
poorest nations affecting countries, communities and families."
“This disease has long been
eliminated from most industrialised nations, but it is still a serious threat
in developing countries where the vast majority of deaths occur,” she said.
“I lost my cousin and nearly lost
my son because of typhoid. This vaccine will be a lifesaver for millions of
children, especially those living without access to clean water or sanitation.”
A serious enteric fever caused by
ingesting contaminated food or water, typhoid fever killed more than 128,000
people in 2016 and affected nearly 12 million, according to the latest
estimates.
Improved living conditions and
the use of appropriate antibiotics have resulted in the virtual elimination of
the disease in industrialised nations and a dramatic global reduction in the
proportion of deaths.
However, this progress is now in
danger of being undermined because of the growing problem of antimicrobial
resistance (AMR).
Drug-resistant typhoid is
spreading across Asia and Africa, posing a serious threat to public health.
“This vaccine is safe, effective
and can provide lasting protection,” said Dr Seth Berkley, CEO of Gavi, the
Vaccine Alliance.
“The growing spread of drug
resistant strains of typhoid is a major threat, not just to individuals but
also to our efforts to control the disease, and requires us to prioritise
prevention strategies. Strong coverage through routine immunisation together
with efforts to improve access to clean water and hygiene will play a key role
in dramatically reducing the disease.”
A new typhoid conjugate vaccine
manufactured by Bharat Biotech International Limited and first licensed in
India in 2013, is currently under review for prequalification by the World
Health Organization (WHO).
This follows the recent
recommendation by the WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization
(SAGE) that typhoid conjugate vaccines should be introduced in endemic
countries to all children over six months of age.
Vaccines from five additional
manufacturers are also under development and are expected to be available
between 2018 and 2022.
Gavi expects the first countries
to apply in 2018 with introductions forecasted to begin the year after. The
Gavi Board also noted that the use of this new vaccine will enable further
studies on the impact of the disease, challenges with diagnosis and appropriate
immunisation strategies.
Typhoid conjugate vaccines were
first seen as a priority by the Gavi Board in the 2008 Vaccine Investment
Strategy (VIS) although no financial commitment was made at that time in the
absence of a suitable vaccine.
The Vaccine Investment Strategy
is Gavi’s evidence-based process for assessing the suitability of new vaccines
to further support countries. Developed every five years, the next VIS will be
completed at the end of 2018.
Today, the Gavi Board approved
the evaluation criteria that will be used for assessing potential new
investments in vaccines and other immunisation products for endemic disease
prevention.
Between 2016 and 2020, at least
20 Gavi-supported countries are expected to transition out of Gavi’s financial
support. Most of these countries are on-track to fully finance their
immunisation programmes and sustain the progress they have made since 2000,
when Gavi was created.
However, the Gavi Board
recognised that a small number of countries are facing more significant
challenges.
GNA
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