2023-11-23 17:10:19
Vaccines… a journey of innovation, research and development for the health of humanity
In the world of global health, researchers are constantly looking for new and innovative ways to protect people from infectious diseases. The journey of vaccine development has been a long and arduous one, but it has yielded tremendous progress over the years. The recent corona epidemic has marked the beginning of a new era in the field of vaccine development as technology was used to produce vaccines in record time.
Today, scientists are turning to a host of new approaches to preventing life-threatening diseases. Their ambitions include targeting more pathogenic organisms and strains by producing vaccines that stimulate stronger immune responses, provide longer-lasting protection, and help tackle infectious diseases that are taking a heavy toll on populations around the world.
As part of a scientific and educational event, GSK, a leading global biopharmaceutical company, invited a group of journalists to visit the largest vaccine manufacturing site in the world in the city of Wavres, Belgium. The site, referred to as “the heart of vaccine production,” opened in 1995. The scientists and researchers at GSK are at the forefront of vaccine development and have a focus on combatting diseases to positively impact the health of 2.5 billion people over the next ten years.
Vaccines help protect people at every stage of their lives, from infancy to old age, and they prevent 3.5 to 5 million deaths globally every year. The estimated return for every dollar invested in vaccination is more than $52 in 94 low- and middle-income countries for the period 2011-2030, according to the World Health Organization.
Dr. Rudi Rosolen, Vice President and Head of Operations in Belgium for GSK, noted that the growing world population has contributed to a constant need for vaccines. For instance, 25 million children are born in India annually, and the population of those over the age of 60 is expected to reach over two billion by 2050. Protecting individuals through vaccination also means protecting societies and countries, providing a strong case for the importance of vaccines as a public health measure.
Despite the significant progress in vaccine development, the global burden of infectious diseases is still high. Diseases like Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), Shingles, Malaria, and others continue to have a major impact on global health. Scientists are working to develop vaccines to address these and many other infectious diseases.
Vaccines stimulate immunity by mimicking natural infection. While immunity from vaccinations may wane over time, they still provide significant health, social, and economic benefits both to individuals and society. Maintaining high immunization rates at all stages of life protects against diseases, helps prevent antimicrobial resistance, and has a positive impact on growth, productivity, and workforce participation.
The changing demographic trend of an aging population also brings with it new challenges. Dr. Piyali Mukherjee, Vice President and Global Chief Medical Officer for Vaccines, highlighted the aging population’s increased life expectancy and the growing number of people over 60 years old. Vaccinations will provide an additional preventative measure to support healthy aging alongside other lifestyle factors such as smoking cessation, a healthy diet, and exercise.
The journey of vaccine development is one that brings hope for the health of humanity. As scientists continue to innovate and research, it’s clear that vaccines will continue to play a crucial role in preventing infectious diseases and promoting the health and well-being of people around the world.]
#eating #millet #beneficial #diabetics #expert #answers