Considerations for Setting the Specifications of Vaccines
Considerations for Setting the Specifications of Vaccines
Vaccines are the most cost effective of all medical interventions, but are among the most sensitive because they are given to healthy individuals. Many of the diseases of temperate Western countries, such as tetanus, diphtheria, measles and polio are well controlled by vaccines, making any adverse events that may occur all the more visible, so that control of vaccines is more important, but the principles apply wherever vaccines are made. Quality specifications indicating safety and efficacy are crucial and developing all the time as new concerns are recognized and older concerns lose their urgency.
Expert Commentary
Vaccines are the most cost effective of all medical interventions, but are among the most sensitive because they are given to healthy individuals. Many of the diseases of temperate Western countries, such as tetanus, diphtheria, measles and polio are well controlled by vaccines, making any adverse events that may occur all the more visible, so that control of vaccines is more important, but the principles apply wherever vaccines are made. Quality specifications indicating safety and efficacy are crucial and developing all the time as new concerns are recognized and older concerns lose their urgency.