The immunization and vaccine crisis in developing countries

Abstract

Health care research has shown that immunization can play a crucial role in fighting infectious diseases. A global effort was launched to decrease the incidence of infectious disease worldwide through immunization. This paper highlights many of the problems which have contributed to an immunization crisis, in which developing countries are not receiving the benefits of vaccines due to slow vaccine delivery systems; the increasing cost of vaccines; and vaccine and immunization program deficiencies. Consequences of the crisis, solutions, and the role of health care professionals in supporting immunization programs are presented.