Vaccine Demand Spurs Innovation

Vaccine development is on a roll, boosted by biomedical research uncovering new molecular targets for preventives and treatments, as well as innovative techniques for enhancing vaccine potency and production.

There is high demand for new vaccines to prevent deadly tropical diseases, illustrated by the recent Ebola virus outbreak, and for capacity to respond quickly to global pandemics and bioterrorist attacks at home and abroad. More manufacturers seek to devise new versions of vaccines for pneumococcal disease, meningitis, and more potent influenza preventives, encouraged by positive coverage and reimbursement decisions.

Meanwhile, frequent vaccine shortages point to the need for more extensive and reliable manufacturing operations. David Swerdlow, associate director for science of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Disease at the Centers for Disease Control and Surveillance (CDC), emphasized the need to increase United States vaccine manufacturing capability at Terrapin’s World Vaccine Congress in Washington, D.C. in March.

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