The UK Vaccine Industry Group, working within the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), aims to:

• promote the positive benefits of vaccination as a key element in improving the health of the nation
• represent the UK vaccine industry to all interested parties

 

 

"Few medical procedures or treatments can compare with the enormous benefit to humanity from immunisation, one of the safest and most cost effective of interventions." Sir Kenneth Calman, former Chief Medical Officer.¹

"Protection from infectious diseases is one of the greatest benefits that any government can ensure for each generation." K A Annan, U.N. Secretary General.²

Since the UK introduction of routine immunisation against:

... Haemophilus influenzae Type b (Hib), incidence in infants at greatest risk has fallen by 96%.¹ Hib meningitis, epiglottitis and other serious infections from this organism have now virtually disappeared from paediatric wards in the UK.

... Measles, Mumps and Rubella, deaths from acute measles have fallen from thirteen per year to around one per year since the introduction of the combined vaccine in 1988, and since 1992 there have been no deaths from acute measles.³ Incidence of measles has fallen from between 160,000 and 800,000 cases per year to an average of around 5,000 since the measles vaccine was introduced in 1968.¹

... Meningococcal group C disease in November 1999, there had been a 90% reduction in the number of cases of meningococcal group C disease in both the under 1 year old and the 15-17 year old age groups by January 2001.⁴

... Polio, the disease is on the verge of being eradicated from our nation.¹

... Smallpox, the disease has been eradicated through worldwide vaccination campaigns.¹

 

 

The UK Vaccine Industry Group operates within the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) and its members include companies at the forefront of the fight against infectious disease.

Baxter Healthcare is committed to helping people live longer, healthier lives through provision of vaccines. Baxter currently have a vaccine which protects people from meningococcal C meningitis, and is being used in the UK immunisation programme. A major global healthcare corporation with BioScience, Medication Delivery, Renal and Transfusion Medicine divisions, Baxter has vaccines in development against meningococcal and streptococcal disease, influenza and Lyme disease. The acquisition of North American Vaccines, and the strategic alliance with Acambis reflect Baxter's rapid growth strategy in vaccines.

Novartis Vaccines & Diagnostics is a new division of Novartis focused on the development of preventive treatments and tools. The division has two business units: Novartis Vaccines, and Chiron, the blood testing and molecular diagnostics unit. Novartis Vaccines is the world's fifth-largest vaccines manufacturer and second-largest supplier of flu vaccines in the US. Novartis Vaccines & Diagnostics' products also include meningococcal, pediatric and travel vaccines.

GlaxoSmithKline, one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies, is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. The company has a comprehensive range of vaccines for the prevention of diseases in infants, adolescents and adults. Vaccines in development include combination vaccines which reduce the number of injections while providing cover against more diseases, and vaccines against malaria, rotavirus and genital herpes.

Sanofi Pasteur MSD is the only company dedicated exclusively to vaccines. Jointly owned by Sanofi Pasteur and Merck & Co., Inc., we operate across Europe and are committed to developing and marketing innovative vaccines to provide protection against infectious diseases. Our comprehensive range includes infant and childhood vaccines, adult vaccines and vaccines for travellers. Vaccines in development include those against human papilloma virus (HPV), the most common cause of cervical cancer, rotavirus (the most common cause of childhood diarrhoea) and herpes zoster.

Solvay Healthcare is engaged in the development, manufacture and marketing of prescription pharmaceutical products including those for hypertension, hormone replacement therapy, cystic fibrosis, depression and gastrointestinal conditions. Their vaccine range focuses on influenza.

Wyeth Vaccines is engaged in the development, manufacture and marketing of prescription pharmaceutical products including those for gastrointestinal disease, depression, hormone replacement therapy, female contraception, infectious disease, cancer, haemophilia, rheumatoid arthritis and transplantation. Wyeth's comprehensive vaccine range includes conjugate vaccines against meningococcal group C, Haemophilus influenzae Type b (Hib) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (serotypes 4, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F and 23F) together with polysaccharide pneumococcal and influenza vaccines. Future developments include multivalent vaccine preparations and new vaccine delivery presentations.

 

 

1. Salisbury DM & Begg NT (Eds.) 1996 Immunisation Against Infectious Disease. HMSO 1996.
   
2. Annan KA. The Children's Vaccination Initiative Strategic Plan. Managing Opportunity and Change: A Vision of Vaccination for the 21st Century. Geneva 1997.
   
3. Public Health Laboratory Services Website. Disease facts. Measles: Deaths by Age Group 1980-1999.
   
4. Press Release from the Department of Health. Biggest Vaccination Drive for 40 Years Smashes Meningitis C Disease. 3 January 2001. 2001/007