The Search for New Vaccines

In this text the authors examine the incentives to invest in research and development for new and improved vaccines, particularly the potential effect of the Vaccines for Children Programe on research and development (R&D) incentives. They argue that significantly expanding the government sector in paediatric vaccines is a very cost-ineffective policy, one that would lead to unintended adverse consequences. Eliminating most of the private market for vaccines and substituting government purchases at lower prices sends the message to R&D investors that tomorrow's paediatric vaccine breakthroughs are to be valued less than other medical breakthroughs. The authors conclude that, ironically, a government programme designed to advance children's health care could operate to curtail the opportunities for improved health care in the future.