Global Forum for Health Research

Forum 8, Mexico City, Mexico

16-20 November, 2004 
 

The Rotavirus Vaccine Program:  Accelerating Vaccine Development and Introduction Through Public-Private Partnerships 
 

Evan Simpson, MPH

John Wecker, PhD

Rotavirus Vaccine Program 
 

“The major diseases of the developing world present a particular challenge and an urgent requirement for public-private partnership.” 
 

-Sir Richard Sykes, Rector, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine and Chairman, GlaxoSmithKline plc, United Kingdom;

Global Health Research Forum 5, Geneva, 2002 
 
 

Each year nearly 500,000 children die from diarrheal disease caused by rotavirus, and another 2 million are hospitalized.  Most deaths occur in developing countries where access to treatment for the dehydration associated with rotavirus infection is limited; however, rotavirus diarrhea is a global infection and nearly every child in the world will suffer an episode of diarrhea caused by rotavirus before 5 years of age.¹  
 

Unlike most other diarrheal diseases, preventive interventions such as improved hygiene and access to clean water have limited or no effect in preventing rotavirus infection.  Oral or intravenously administered rehydration therapy can successfully treat the severe dehydration associated with rotavirus, but for children in developing countries such treatment is very often inaccessible.  Because of the lack of sufficient prevention or treatment measures, vaccines represent the best option for reducing the mortality and morbidity associated with rotavirus infection in the developing world.   
 

Several vaccines are in late stages of development by private sector manufacturers and there is great promise that the efficacy and safety of these vaccines will be demonstrated.  In order to ensure that vaccines reach infants in developing countries, where they are needed most, the public and private sectors must successfully develop and implement a shared agenda ensuring that decision makers receive the information and data they need to make an appropriate decision about rotavirus vaccine use. 
 

In 2003, with funding from the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) and the Vaccine Fund, the Rotavirus Vaccine Program (RVP) was established at PATH, a nonprofit global health organization.  The mission of the Rotavirus Vaccine Program is to reduce child morbidity and mortality from diarrheal disease by accelerating the availability of rotavirus vaccines appropriate for use in developing countries. 
 

To achieve its mission, RVP is harnessing the resources and commitment of private sector vaccine manufacturers, as well as public health organizations, donors, and governments, to shape a new global health model for vaccine introduction.  This model focuses on the timely generation of information necessary for confident decision-making.  
 

RVP has developed a research, policy and implementation agenda intended to accelerate the introduction of rotavirus vaccines in developing countries, in which there are clear opportunities for the public and private sectors to work in partnership.  Such partnerships would ensure more efficient use of resources, provide value for all participants, and demonstrate a collective commitment to meeting the needs of developing countries.   
 

This agenda also provides the public sector—health ministries, donor agencies, and global health organizations —with important information necessary for decision-making.  For private vaccine manufacturers, public-private partnerships provide opportunities for learning valuable information about their products, product markets in developing countries, and insights into the potential risks and benefits that stem from developing country markets.   
 

Public-private partnerships also help to distribute risk. While most vaccine manufacturers are sincerely interested in meeting developing country needs, the fact remains that huge investments in vaccine research and development must be recouped.   Through collaborative approaches to solving problems associated with identifying long-term financing, predicting demand for new vaccines, and ensuring the availability of adequate vaccine supply, more favorable conditions can be established for achieving the respective interests of both the public and private sectors.