Research Selected for WHO Webinar to Launch Special Issue on Immunization Inequality

We are proud to announce that Fulgence Niyibitegeka, a PhD student, along with his supervisor A/Prof Natalie Carvalho, researchers in the Economics of Global Health and Infectious Diseases Unit, Melbourne Health Economics, have been invited as panellists in the official launch of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) special issue, "Inequality in Immunization 2024."

This significant event will include a webinar where Fulgence will present key findings from their research, which has been featured in the special issue. The webinar will be held on the 24th of September 2024, 13:00-14:00 CET. You can register to join the webinar through the following link: https://who.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_FyDU5NMcQNedjB0eq_DxpA#/registration

The research, published in the special issue, reveals that current vaccine pricing policies disproportionately benefit high-income countries (HICs) and manufacturers, leaving low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) with the lowest share of economic surplus generated by Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines. For instance, high-income countries receive six, twelve, and twenty-four times the economic surplus of upper-middle-income, lower-middle-income, and low-income countries, respectively. This discrepancy is largely due to the monopolistic market dynamics dominated by a few manufacturers based in HICs, leading to unaffordable prices and limited vaccine uptake in countries that bear the highest burden of pneumococcal disease​.

The findings emphasize the need for innovative pricing strategies, such as tiered pricing and pooled procurement mechanisms, to address these disparities. Early adoption of such approaches and promoting vaccine manufacturing in LMICs could significantly enhance vaccine access and affordability, ultimately contributing to the global goal of equitable immunization coverage under the WHO's Immunization Agenda 2030​.

We are excited to share our insights with WHO and global health stakeholders as we work together to address these pressing challenges in vaccine equity. Our participation in these initiatives underscores our commitment to advancing public health and achieving a fairer distribution of immunization benefits worldwide.

We congratulate Fulgence on this prestigious opportunity and look forward to their continued contributions to the field of public health.