From the eradication of smallpox to the near elimination of diseases like polio and measles, few innovations have been as transformative as vaccines.
Today, PhRMA released a new report covering 286 vaccines in clinical development or awaiting review by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). These vaccines target a wide spectrum of diseases, from a potential first-in-class vaccine for E. coli to a potential therapeutic vaccine for Alzheimer’s disease. As science advances and biopharmaceutical researchers make more strides, these new vaccines are providing hope to prevent and treat a wide range of illnesses.
Vaccines are highly effective tools for protecting our health, with a long history of saving lives and reducing health care costs. Here is what you should know:
Vaccines are one of the most impactful and cost-effective tools for preventing diseases and supporting healthy aging: In the last 30 years in the U.S., childhood vaccines have prevented over one million early deaths and are now available to prevent 18 dangerous or deadly diseases. Vaccines have also reduced disease severity across all ages. For example, COVID-19 vaccines prevented over 18 million hospitalizations and nearly 3 million deaths in two years, and the flu vaccine prevents 3.7 million medical visits and over 100,000 hospitalizations annually.
Vaccines work by helping your body identify potential infections, so that your own immune system can fight diseases faster and more effectively when exposed: Vaccines teach the body to recognize specific pathogens, preparing the immune system to fight future infections. They use weakened or inactive germs or virus pieces to stimulate an immune response without causing the disease. Some vaccines provide long-lasting immunity against stable microbes, like measles and polio, while others, like flu and mRNA COVID vaccines, target changing microbes to reduce infection severity. Some vaccines, known as therapeutic vaccines, are designed to work on diseases that a person may already have, such as cancer. These work by training the body’s immune system to identify and attack cancer cells or diseased cells after an infection.
Vaccines are subject to a rigorous safety and efficacy review process and are closely monitored after approval: Vaccines undergo years of rigorous clinical trials with thousands of patient volunteers to ensure safety and effectiveness. The FDA reviews vaccines intensively, and the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) sets vaccination guidelines. Safety and effectiveness are closely monitored by biopharmaceutical manufacturers, the FDA, and the CDC, both during clinical trials and after approval.
With nearly 300 vaccines in development, the pipeline promises a brighter future with new technologies that could prevent or treat diseases in ways previously not thought possible. This is why it is vital that our policy environment supports scientific advancements and recognizes the role of vaccines in public health and future pandemic preparedness. Congress should ensure reauthorization of critical provisions in the Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness Act. Policymakers must also protect intellectual property, a key driver of American biopharmaceutical research, development and manufacturing, and enables collaborations critical to public health.
Taken together, these actions will help save people and the health care system from the expense of treatment for preventable diseases.
Matthew Norawong
Matthew is a senior manager on PhRMA’s Public Affairs team focusing on Medicare, Medicaid, importation and more. Prior to coming to PhRMA, he previously worked as a health policy analyst for National Journal’s Network Science Initiative, primarily supporting companies in the life sciences industry. Matthew completed his undergraduate studies in political science at the University of Washington and subsequently earned a Master of Public Health from the George Washington University. A native of the Pacific Northwest, Matthew currently resides in Washington, DC. Outside of the office, Matthew is an avid runner and enjoys playing bass guitar with his indie rock band.
Matthew Norawong
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New Report: Vaccines continue to drive improved health outcomes
New Report: Vaccines continue to drive improved health outcomes