Ethical issues in the production, design and clinical trials of new vaccines for emerging diseases in low income countries

Ethical issues in the production, design and clinical trials of new vaccines for emerging diseases in low income countries

21^st World Congress and Exhibition on Vaccines, Vaccination & Immunization
November 09-10, 2017 Vienna, Austria

Ida Cristina Gubert

Federal University of Parana, Brazil

Posters & Accepted Abstracts : Virol Res J

Abstract:

Since first developed by Jenner and Pasteur vaccines have shown to be an important tool for the eradication (cow pox) and prevention of communicable diseases with high morbidity and mortality rates, and became one component of public health policies. However, good quality housing, appropriate disposal of sewage, nutrition, education and adequate sanitary conditions have also been an important determinant in health promotion. In this way, upper level societies have witnessed a significant reduction of diseases such as zoonosis, communicable diseases and vector born infections. Nevertheless, populations in low income countries still face poor sanitary and living conditions which contribute to the emergence of new diseases. Recently countries in Latin America witnessed the epidemics of a vector borne viral infection that resulted in microcephaly to the fetuses born from infected women. The purpose of this text is to present a reflection on the life conditions of these populations, their vulnerability, the need for new vaccines, the public health policies to be implemented and the ethical issues to be considered in this reality. An analysis on the ethical issues concerning the development of new vaccines and their trials in low income countries. It is undeniable all benefits that have been reached in health promotion through immunization protocols worldwide. However insufficient supply, the rationale of use and distribution of vaccines in low income countries, the health condition of the participants in the trials, inclusion and exclusion criteria, the comparative arm, the inclusion of pregnant women, risks and benefits, the availability of the final product once trial is finished and the voluntary or compulsory character of immunization are some of the ethical issues that deserve consideration in the development and distribution of vaccines as a part of public health policies in low income countries.

Biography:

Ida Cristina Gubert completed her Bachelor degree in Biological Sciences from Universidade Federal do Paraná (1975); Master’s Degree in Genetics from Universidade Federal do Paraná (1986); PhD in Biochemical and Molecular Pharmacology from Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (2005) and; Postdoc in Bioethics in Clinical Research (Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciências Sociales, FLACSO, Argentina). She has experience in Immunology, focusing on Applied Immunology.

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