Vaccines for Children in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Authors: Daniel Feikin, Brendan Flannery, Mary Hamel, Meghan Stack, Peter Hansen

Citation:

Abstract: 

This chapter describes the epidemiology and burden of vaccine-preventable diseases and provides estimates of the value of vaccines in health impact as well as broader economic benefits, focusing on vaccination of infants during routine well-child visits and not on other important vaccines for older children and young adults. Vaccines have proved one of the most important forces in reducing childhood mortality during the past 40 years. With the advent of new vaccines and the promise of others, immunizations have the potential to further drive down childhood mortality and deliver broader health and economic benefits. Despite remaining challenges, immunization will remain central to childhood disease prevention, and the well-child visit will continue to serve as the axis upon which preventive activities evolve. To maximize the health and economic well-being of populations will require effective use of immunization as a platform to deliver other cost-effective and life-saving services as part of a comprehensive well-child approach.