Impacts+F

At the beginning of the 20th century, infectious diseases were widely prevalent in the United States and exacted an enormous toll on the population. For example, in 1900, 21,064 cases of smallpox were reported, and 894 patients died (Fenner, Henderson, Arita, Jezek, & Ladnyi, 1988, as cited in Center for Disease Control, 1999, p. 1). In 1920, 469,924 measles cases were reported, and 7,575 patients died; 147,991 diphtheria cases were reported, and 13,170 patients died. In 1922, 107,473 pertussis cases were reported, and 5099 patients died (US Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, 1953, as cited in Center for Disease Control, 1999, p. 1). Although the first vaccine against smallpox was developed in 1796, greater than 100 years later, its use had not been widespread enough to fully control the disease. Four other vaccines - against rabies, typhoid, cholera, and plague - had been developed late in the 19th century, but were not used widely by 1900 (Duffy, 1990, as cited in Center for Disease Control, 1999, p. 1).
 * Impacts of Technology **
 * ‍Public Health‍ **

During the 20th century, substantial achievements have been made in the control of many vaccine preventable diseases. In the United States, smallpox has been eradicated, poliomyelitis cause by wild-type viruses has been eliminated, and measles along with Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) invasive disease among children less than 5 years of age have been reduced to record low number of cases (Center for Disease Control, 1999, p. 1).

Immunization is one of the greatest achievements of the 20th century, significantly contributing to healthier, more productive, and longer lives by preventing life threatening diseases. The World Health Organization estimates that vaccines prevent over 2.5 million deaths each year. The impact of vaccines on global public health, economic development, and society is impressive. Vaccines created by the R&D-based vaccine industry and its partners have saved more lives than any other health intervention; boosted economies through major cost savings associated with treating diseases; generated economic growth through healthier, more productive individuals; and protected societies against the long-term effects of disease (International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations, 2010, p. 1).

In many developed and middle income countries, vaccines have repeatedly been shown to be cost effective because of their success in preventing diseases, affordability, and typically limited use in a person's lifetime compared to costs of treating diseases. Most recently, analysis of cost effectiveness have been performed in a number of developing countries with similar results. For example, a recent study in Kenya concluded that the Hib vaccine is a highly cost effective intervention, saving the nation more than $870,000 in treatment costs for children born in 2004 (International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations, 2010, p. 2).
 * Economic **

Vaccines have also been shown to improve economic growth by protecting individuals from the long-term effects of an illness on their physical, emotional, and cognitive development. Invasive Hib disease, for example, can cause brain damage and developmental delays, which can have a negative impact on a child's life prospects. By introducing the vaccine, researchers estimate that 28,000 cases of pneumonia and meningitus, 5,000 deaths, and 1,000 severe neurologic complications have been prevented among children in Uganda alone (International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations, 2010, p. 2).

But although there are countries that have the money to afford vaccines, there are also some countries that can't afford them. Some vaccines can vary from $10.00 to even $80.00. The problem with vaccines though, is that it's not just one that you must take, but many. For example, there is Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Varicella (Chickenpox), and many more. All this adds up, and can be very expensive depending how many are in the household. Blazek (2009) states that according to one of their surveys "49 percent of 784 respondents indicate that they had delayed purchasing vaccines for financial reasons" (p. 10). Because this was a major concern, doctors came up with what is called a combination vaccine, which are various vaccines put in one shot. With 14 vaccines in the current childhood immunization schedule, children receive about 26 inoculations while growing up. And with the combination vaccines, children receive less shots which mean happier children and satisfied parents (Blazek, 2009, p. 10).



The R&D based vaccine industry has a long history of working with governments, acadamia, and the nonprofit sector to research and develop many new and essential vaccines. Widely considered one of the most important public health advances in history, vaccines have contributed significantly to the health of nations. Through industry's efforts and expertise in translating basic science into the development of vaccines that are safe, effective, and can be mass-produced, many deaths have been prevented as vaccines have been delivered to millions of people, mostly children (International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations, 2010, p. 1).
 * Demographic **

In the United States alone, vaccines to prevent eighteen different diseases are routinely recommended and administered to children and adults. Europe, Japan, and many other countries have recognized the value of vaccines over the years, and are increasingly expanding their recommendations. The widespread global use of vaccines can eradicate diseases as evidenced by the eradication of smallpox. Global efforts are ongoing to eradicate polio, with many countries and regions already certified as polio free. Vaccination is also an example of how individual actions affect entire communities, and is an important tool for strengthening economies (International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations, 2010, p. 1).

To appreciate the vast impact of vaccines, it's helpful to consider what one vaccine has done for communities in the developing world. The Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) vaccine, which was studied, manufactured, and licensed primarily by the R&D-based industry, has greatly benefited public health, economic development, and society. Just five years after the Hib vaccine was introduced to Uganda in 2002, the country's number of confirmed cases of Hib meningitis dropped to nearly zero. Researchers estimated that in the absence of the vaccine, 23,310 children under the age of five would have been infected with Hib pneumonia and 4,662 with Hib meningitis, leading to more than 5,000 deaths in Uganda in 2007 alone (International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations, 2010, p. 1).


 * Benefits and Drawbacks Table **



**Transition statement**: Continue following along as the investigation takes a look into the problems of the vaccine technology and provides insight to potential solutions to the issues.

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