WELCOME TO THE 9TH ISSUE OF VACCINES BEAT
As we present our 9th issue, we reflect on a somber milestone: the fifth anniversary of the WHO’s declaration of COVID-19 as a pandemic. With over 7 million lives lost, trillions of dollars in economic damage, and countless personal tragedies, we might expect the world to have learned critical lessons. Unfortunately, many governments and societies still fall short in their preparedness for future health threats.
In this issue’s “Coffee with an Expert” section, we are excited to feature an interview with Prof. Jerome Kim, the Director General of the International Vaccine Institute (IVI). Based in South Korea, IVI has offices in Europe and Africa and branches across all five continents. In our candid and insightful discussion, Prof. Kim provides a historical perspective on IVI’s role in advancing vaccines, both independently and in collaboration with various organizations and governments. He highlights IVI’s contributions to the entire vaccine ecosystem—from education, R&D, and clinical development to regulation, manufacturing (including technology transfer to developing countries), and global implementation. Additionally, he shares IVI’s future outlook, focusing on the development of new vaccines, innovative administration methods, and expanded global dissemination strategies.
In the “Editor’s Corner,” we explore the concerning resurgence of Pertussis, particularly the increase in cases following the replacement of whole-cell Pertussis (wP) vaccines with acellular Pertussis (aP) vaccines, spurred by fears of neurological side effects. We examine the implications of this shift on disease control and discuss strategies to address current challenges and shape future vaccination efforts.
Our “Best Practice” section emphasizes the importance of combination vaccines as a critical strategy for accelerating the elimination of vaccine-preventable diseases. Meanwhile, we thank renowned vaccine expert, Dr. Jeffrey J. Stoddard, for his insightful article in our “Guest Contributors” section, which highlights the vital role of physicians in the innovation of new medicinal products and health and wellness therapies.
Thank you for joining us in this important conversation.
