Gates and WHO Partner to Create the Global Vaccine Action PlanSusanne Posel, Contributor The Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP) is pushing governments worldwide with the power of the UN to back them to coerce the increase of global vaccinations through strategic programs. The DVC is comprised of stakeholders from the global health community. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) have also partnered with the WHO and DVC to support GVAP. The BMGF released astatement on the GVAP saying that they are excited to be part of this incredible opportunity to continue their efforts to eradicate polio in Nigeria, Pakistan, and Afghanistan and fund vaccination campaigns with the support of international partners. The details of GVAP include delivery of vaccines to DVC between 2011 2020 with aims to administer these immunizations to underdeveloped nations like Africa and India. The initiative will attempt to exceed the UNsMillennium Development Goal (MDG) that immunization . . . should be recognized as a core component of the human right to health, the plan says. The plans mission is to extend, by 2020 and beyond, the full benefit of immunization to all people. WHO and DVC want to build relationships with pharmaceutical manufacturers to research and develop new vaccines for diseases that are not treatable through immunization. By 2015, all underdeveloped nations will be admonished by the UN to introduce one or more underutilized vaccines, which will be licensed and disbursed by WHO and DVC to low- or middle-income countries by 2020. Misleading statistics are being purveyed as empirical data that give unfounded explanations and rhetoric over routine vaccination and new vaccine development. WHO is depending on vaccination surveys (which are inherently flawed) to rationalize their claim that 82% of the poorest countries need to have DTP3 administered which encompasses the majority of the population. WHO and the UN decide amongst world leaders as to which nations will be the focus of vaccinations. These nations are Africa, India and some parts of Asia, where the UN has identified the population growth to be expanding too quickly. Daniel Berman, deputy director of the Campaign for Access to Essential Medicines at the Mdecins Sans Frontires, in Switzerland, said that the plan focuses primarily on new vaccines, when he feels that routine vaccination is a more effective course of action. Berman believes vaccines administered by inhalation, skin patches or orally can improve the immunization coverage. While new storage procedures may alleviate the need for cold storage, less logistical challenges will be placed on healthcare workers. Berman added that local production of vaccines could have a positive effect on emerging, middle-income countries as well as lower the cost of vaccine technologies. Through corporatism, pharmaceutical corporations could relocate facilities to Africa and India for technology production and transfer, as well as give access to licenses. Simon Wright, director of Child Survival at Save the Children UK is pleased with the plan by WHO and DVC. Wright says that this initiative will provide a strong focus on building health systems to reach those children who were still not vaccinated. linkwithin_text=Related Articles: 