Pfizer seeks better health deal for nationals globally

Pfizer has pleaded with nations to strengthen immunisation services for millions of people missing out on life-saving benefits.

The pharmaceutical company made the appeal at an event to mark the 2023 World Immunisation Week geared at stressing importance of vaccines and how they protect people of all ages against several diseases.

The firm, in a statement yesterday, said this year’s campaign theme, ‘The Big Catch-up’, represents a global push to vaccinate millions of children and return to pre-pandemic vaccination levels, following the over two years of immunisation backsliding caused by COVID-19 disruptions.

Medical Director, Sub-Saharan Africa, Pfizer, Kodjo Soroh, said the firm has a long history in vaccine research and development, including a pivotal role in eradication of polio and smallpox.

He said through innovative delivery systems and technologies, the firm created innovations for preventing deadly bacterial infections.

Soroh said vaccines underpin global health security by preventing and controlling over 30 infectious diseases and outbreaks, as well as reducing unnecessary hospitalisation.

Soroh observed that vaccines are one of the world’s most powerful and cost-effective public health initiatives that has successfully eradicated, eliminated and managed many deadly infectious diseases.

The Pfizer official noted that smallpox has been eradicated and polio also gone, adding that cervical cancer could become the first cancer to be eliminated.

“Vaccines also play a critical role in combatting antimicrobial resistance: they can reduce antibiotic use by preventing bacterial infections in the first place, such as with the pneumococcal and meningococcal vaccines.  It can also prevent viral infections such as flu, which can provoke secondary infections, requiring antibiotics,” he said.

Soroh noted that people are benefiting from safe and effective vaccines to prevent infectious diseases, adding that these injections have protected people of all ages, from newborns to seniors.

He said the firm’s work is not done as many viruses and bacteria still pose serious health risk, hence, the continued focus on research and development in new areas, with a view to adding more approved vaccines to tackle pathogens.

Soroh said global vaccination coverage figures are looking up, but still mask huge inequalities that the world could not afford to ignore.

He said to h protect as many people as possible from a life-threatening illness, the firm is working to develop and distribute vaccines globally.