According to new study published Nov. 10 in the journal International Health, millions of lives in developing countries could be saved using highly cost-effective vaccines against the main cause of deaths from pneumonia.

Over the next decade, researchers estimate that with support from the GAVI Alliance three to four million children’s lives could be saved as a result of introducing two pneumococcal vaccines in the world’s poorest countries. According to an independent article released by the International Vaccine Access Center (IVAC) at the Johns Hopkins University, progress in rolling out interventions to control pneumonia has been patchy, and even though recent progress in access to vaccines has increased, insufficient access to antibiotics and medical care still remains in countries where children are most vulnerable to pneumonia.

In 2008, 1.5 million children died due to pneumonia (more than any other cause of death), more than 98% of those deaths occurred in developing countries, although evidence suggests that this death toll can be rapidly reduced. With funding by GAVI, some of the poorest nations in the world are enrolling at an exceptional rate in order to introduce vaccines against pneumococcal disease, a primary cause of meningitis and pneumonia. In Africa and Asia, where children have the highest risk of this disease, over 70% of serious penumococcal infections are expected to be prevented with the new vaccines, the Pneumococcal Global Serotype Project reveals.

Seth Berkley M.D., CEO of the GAVI Alliance, explains: “In 2011, 3.6 million children will be immunized against pneumococcal disease, and 10 million more are expected to receive the vaccine by the end of next years. As of Saturday, when Malawi introduces the pneumococcal vaccine for its children, it will become the 16th of the world’s lowest-income countries to take this step – and this is just the beginning. Thanks to our donors, we plan to support the rollout of these vaccines to nearly 60 countries by 2015.”

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in GAVI’s target nations the average coverage of basic vaccines is about 80% in comparison to an average immunization rate in 2000 of 67%. Although there have been substantial gains in access to vaccines, often when pneumonia cases do occur in children they do not receive suitable antibiotic treatment. These discoveries are highlighted in an article issued by IVAC, which reveal that even though progress with vaccination in the 15 nations with the highest child pneumonia deaths is being made, the most recent data indicates that these countries have sub-optimal levels of treatment interventions and protection, including treatment with antibiotics, exclusive breastfeeding and access to care facilities.

Orin Levine, professor and executive director of IVAC, said: “Vaccines and antibiotic treatments are like two safety nets that work together – vaccines provide a first line of defense, while antibiotics ensure that children who get through the first net don’t die. We must sustain the tremendous progress achieved this year in vaccines and expand access to antibiotic treatment to fully tackle this disease.”

According to the examinations of the new study published in International Health, both the 10-valent and 13-valent pneumococcal vaccines being introduced now in countries supported by GAVI are a “best buy” – and their value for money is highest in the nations at greatest risk – solid discoveries regardless of challenges with data collection in many of the nations covered in the examination.

Anushua Sinha, a senior author on the study and associate professor in the Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health at the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey, explained: “We know the vaccines can save hundreds of thousands of lives every year throughout the developing world. This new research shows that, with GAVI support, pneumococcal vaccines are also very good value for the money, no matter how we break out the data.”

The benefits of vaccination surpasses the children who are actually immunized, according to the new study – carried out by an independent group of academic investigators and funded by GAVI. They estimate that “herd immunity” would provide protection for younger children and older adults, as exposure to sources of infection would be reduced. In addition, they highlight that the vaccines being rolled out with the support of GAVI are cost-effective, cover more strains of pneumonia and save more lives.

Sinha and her team based their conclusive on the cost of the vaccines under the terms of GAVI’s Advance Market Commitment. Sinha explained that at the prices negotiated, the vaccines would be “highly cost-effective in 69 out of the 72 GAVI countries.” Data also showed that costs avoided with GAVI-funded vaccines are equally as compelling. The investigation reveals that from 2010 to 2019, between US$986 million to US$1.2 billion in costs can be averted as a result of direct and indirect effects of the vaccines, approximately 85% of this money would otherwise be spent treating pneumonia.

In December 2010 the worldwide introduction of pneumococcal vaccines began when, with the support of GAVI, Nicaragua rolled out the vaccine into its routine program. In 2011 the vaccine has been introduced in:

  • Sierra Leone
  • Guyana
  • Mali
  • Kenya
  • Honduras
  • Yemen
  • Central African Republic
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Benin
  • the Gambia
  • Cameroon
  • Burundi
  • Rwanda
  • and Ethiopia

Malawi will introduce the vaccine on 12 November – World Pneumonia Day.

GAVI donors as well as the development of the Advanced Market Commitment (AMC), an innovative finance mechanism pioneered by GAVI are to thank for this progress. With US$1.5 billion from the UK, Canada, Italy, Norway, Russian Federation and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the AMC encourages the acceleration of production capacity by the manufacturers who at present develop pneumococcal vaccines. GAVI was able to reach children faster than anticipated as well as speed up the introduction of the new vaccines thanks to donors committing US$4.3 billion on 13 June 2011.

Written by: Grace Rattue