The scientific evidence supporting the value of vaccination is overwhelming: In terms of reducing the burden of infectious disease, only clean water performs better, but is more expensive. Researchers at the MRC Unit in The Gambia are addressing a number of the public health challenges that prevail in The Gambia, West Africa and the rest of the developing world through their work on new and improved vaccines.
Prevention of 6 million deaths annually has been attributed to vaccination, and one of the greatest features of vaccination is the indirect protective effect, even for unimmunized individuals, which is achieved through herd immunity.
It is unlikely the MDG4 will be reached without expanded and timely access to established vaccines and newer ones such as those which protect against Hib, rotavirus or pneumococci. Continuing research demonstrating effectiveness of these vaccines will be needed to ensure donor and country support for such expanded vaccination programmes. Thus evidence for optimal vaccination schedules needs expansion and a range of questions require better understanding: neonatal and maternal immunization, herd immunity, determinants of immunity, and interactions with other infections and nutrition. Working in partnership with the Government and people of The Gambia, the MRC Unit in The Gambia is currently addressing these questions, and reaffirms its commitment to the attainment of MDG4.
