9 – INTRODUCTION OF NEW VACCINES IN THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

Introduction of new vaccines vary with epidemiological, sociological, economic, and cultural settings. Experience has shown that arguments used to introduce new vaccines are complex, multifactorial, and not always rational. This chapter reviews the factors that must be considered when making such decisions, highlighting important areas where problems have occurred. Anti-vaccine movements are fueling these concerns, and may significantly reduce popular acceptance of new vaccines. In developing countries, barriers to the introduction of new vaccines include lack of information on local disease burden, uncertainty about vaccine efficacy, poor capacity of national immunization programs, and lack of funding. Developments in vaccinology are characterized not only by the development of important new vaccines but by constructive collaboration among major players in this field, making new vaccines available in some of the poorest countries. In those countries, and indeed throughout the world, there is a need for national authorities to appreciate the true value of vaccination with both existing, and new vaccines, so that the support for vaccination programs assumes a higher profile in the national planning.