‘Immunization is the most important health intervention’

Seth Berkley is the new CEO of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) which gave a record $165 million grant to induct the pentavalent vaccine into India’s universal immunization program. It combines protection against DPT, Hepatitis B and, for the first time, Hib, the leading cause of bacterial meningitis among infants and children, and second leading cause of bacterial pneumonia deaths among under-fives. Penta has just rolled out in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Goa, and will ultimately cover 18 million children. I spoke to Dr. Berkeley at the recent Pacific Health Summit in Seattle.   Vaccines made by Indian pharma companies fuel 43% of the world’s UIPs, yet every third unimmunized child on the planet is Indian. It’s truly surprising especially when India also produces new, innovative vaccines. If I were responsible for the country’s health, I would make my No. 1 priority a high level of vaccinations for the...