As the world marks the World Immunization Week, Pfizer, a manufacturer and developer of pharmaceutical medicines has expressed commitment to address the practical constraints experienced by health workers operating in Uganda and the East African region.
This will come be attained through both vaccines’ provision and training of health workers and, Pfizer has already announced the introduction of a new vaccination presentation that will help to significantly reduce the cost and access of vaccines against communicable diseases in developing countries.
Pfizer Medical Director Kodjo Soroh, noted that vaccines have significantly reduced the threat of diseases that were once widespread and sometimes fatal.
Today, more people benefit from safe and efficacious vaccines than ever before – and the list of diseases that vaccines can help prevent continues to grow, Soroh says.
He said the new presentation will help to significantly reduce storage requirements and shipping costs in communities with health systems that are still developing. The new multi-dose vial- MDV being rolled out was prequalified in accordance with World Health Organization’s ‘open container policy.’ With its ‘open container’ attributes, it allows for the fourth dose to be used for up to 28 days after the first dose is drawn and provided the recommended cold storage requirements have been met.
“Immunization is widely recognized as one of the most successful and cost effective health interventions. Pfizer’s goal is to protect lives with innovative vaccines to fight serious diseases worldwide and make vaccination against potentially deadly diseases available,” said Soroh.
“As we mark World Immunization Week/World Meningitis Day, let’s be aware about the critical importance of immunization bearing in mind that vaccination is a key strategy to containing Meningococcal meningitis,ensuring continued protection for the current and future generation while taking into consideration the current outbreak of Meningitis in the region,” said Margaret Olele, Pfizer Corporate Affairs Director.
To ensure the efficient use of the multi-dose vial, Pfizer is also supporting Gavi countries with a refresher training of trainers program on a variety of immunization topics including the proper handling of multi dose vials with open container policy.
