[e-drug] Expensive vaccines not needed? (cont)

["Wittet, Scott" <swittet@path.org>]

E-drug: Expensive vaccines not needed? (cont)
---------------------------------------------
Readers should note that the Save the Children/UK press briefing (on which
the BMJ article was based) has been criticized for its misrepresentation of
the data from the London School study of the "GAVI experience" in four
countries.  There are major discrepancies between the issues that SCFUK
chose to focus on in their press materials and the actual data in the
report.

For example, the study report contains little to no criticism of the
private-public partnership that allows the GAVI partners (UNICEF, 
WHO, World Bank, the Vaccine Fund, PATH, etc.) to provide funding for 
strengthening immunization infrastructure in the world's poorest 
countries and to provide those same countries with lifesaving 
vaccines against hepatitis B and Hib.
On the other hand, Save chose to emphasize that issue in their sensational
headlines.  They did not distinguish between London School findings and
their personal opinions.

Readers who would like a clear picture of what the London School
actually found, as opposed to Save/UK's organizational policies, would best
be served by reading the original report rather than the "thought piece"
generated by Save/UK and their PR staff. The London School report can 
be downloaded from
http://www.savethechildren.org.uk/pressrels/PDFS/GAVI.pdf (one meg
download).

-----------------------------------------------
Scott Wittet
Director for Advocacy, Communication, and Training
Children's Vaccine Program
PATH
4 Nickerson Street
Seattle, WA  98109  USA

Tel: 	(206) 285-3500	Fax:	(206) 285-6619
swittet@path.org
http://www.ChildrensVaccine.org
http://www.path.org

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