This issue of PATH Today highlights new, innovative technologies coming from the lab and shop at PATH, a spotlight on the December launch of the meningitis vaccine in Western Africa, and a tuberculosis project in Tanzania. Also noted is the 1+1 Challenge, expanding PATH’s presence with new country offices in Africa, and the announcement of a new leader for PATH's India country program.

Publication date: October 2010

Region: Global

Part of series: PATH Today

This report summarizes the activities and achievements of PATH's Japanese encephalitis project (2003–2009), which aimed to accelerate availability of a safe and efficacious vaccine to vulnerable communities throughout Asia. Technical fact sheets bundled with the report provide guidance on disease surveillance, cost-effectiveness, advocacy, vaccine introduction, and more. The report is available as one large file or as four smaller files for easier downloading.

Publication date: October 2010

Region: Asia

As part of project Optimize, a five-year human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine demonstration project is under way in Vietnam, Uganda, India, and Peru to generate evidence for government decision-making about successful vaccine delivery strategies to provide HPV vaccine to young adolescent girls. HPV vaccine is a strong candidate for storage and transport in a controlled temperature chain at temperatures higher than the standard 2° to 8°C cold chain storage.

Publication date: September 2010

Region: Global

PATH and our partners have been advancing innovative vaccine technologies for more than 30 years. This report outlines our approach and capabilities. It also describes a number of individual vaccine technologies at various stages of development and market introduction to put this work in context. 

Publication date: September 2010

Region: Global

The study highlighted in this project Optimize report uses a breakeven cost analysis to compare potential prices, wastage rates, and cold chain requirements for various human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine presentations.

Publication date: August 2010

Region: Global

Commissioned by project Optimize, a collaboration of PATH and the World Health Organization, a study of vaccine vial monitor (VVM) availability and use in developing countries in four regions was undertaken. The study had three aspects: the total proportion of vaccines with VVMs in the regions with detailed information by country, in-depth information on policies and practices, and knowledge and attitudes in a selected sample of countries.

Author: Milstein J

Publication date: August 2010

Region: Global

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is intended to prevent cervical cancer. As part of project Optimize, a two-year HPV vaccine demonstration project is being conducted to demonstrate how existing delivery systems can be adapted to successfully provide HPV vaccine to young adolescent girls. HPV vaccine is a strong candidate for out-of-the-cold-chain use given its characteristics of high heat stability and freeze sensitivity.

Author: Robertson J, Vu H, Le N, et al.

Publication date: July 2010

Region: Global

In July 2010, project Optimize held workshops in Washington, DC, and Seattle, WA, to engage stakeholders from a wide variety of organizations. The workshops discussed developing-country immunization systems and sought participant perspectives on the desired future state of the systems. This document provides a summary of the workshops.

Publication date: July 2010

Region: Global

PATH has worked to improve maternal and child health, nutrition, and family planning in developing countries for more than 30 years. This brochure describes our integrated approach to reach mothers, children, and communities with key innovations for strong futures.

Publication date: May 2010

Region: Global

This issue of Outlook provides an update on opportunities for preventing cervical cancer through vaccination and screening. It summarizes recent evidence on the safety and efficacy of human papillomavirus vaccines as well as successful approaches for screening and treatment in low-resource areas. Other topics include cost-effectiveness, communication and training, and implications for policy and programs.

Author: Murray M

Publication date: May 2010

Region: Global

Part of series: Outlook

This publication describes the public health potential of multipurpose prevention technologies -- that is, technologies that prevent unintended pregnancy; sexually transmitted infections, including HIV; and/or other reproductive tract infections. While a few such technologies exist, greater collaboration and resources are needed to accelerate research and development efforts and bring new technologies into widespread use.

Author: Holt BY, Kilbourne-Brook M, Cohen J, Burns M

Publication date: May 2010

Region: Global

Both Iran and Sudan utilize an alarm-based temperature recording system to monitor the performance of their national immunization cold stores. To better the utility and application of such systems in other countries, this project Optimize report documents the benefits, challenges, and advantages of both Iran’s and Sudan’s systems.

Author: Haghgou, M

Publication date: May 2010

Region: Global

This report from the vaccine technologies team at PATH presents results from an economic model that calculates the costs involved in delivering IPV vaccine in Indian immunization clinics according to three strategies: (1) intradermal delivery of reduced volumes of vaccine per dose, (2) use of adjuvants to allow a reduced IPV antigen content per dose, and (3) reduction of the number of doses per IPV immunization schedule. The strategies include delivery by standard technique and with alternative delivery devices.

Author: Hickling J, Jones R, Nundi N, Zehrung D

Publication date: April 2010

Region: Global

Project Optimize is collaborating with the Vietnamese National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology on a series of activities designed to assess the opportunities and needs for strengthening the immunization system in Vietnam. This document reports the results of assessments of the vaccine supply chain in Vietnam, completed in March 2010.

Publication date: March 2010

Region: Asia

This report, the first annual policy report of the Global Health Technologies Coalition, makes recommendations for Congress and the Obama Administration to ensure that the United States maximizes its investment in global health and continues as a leader in global health research and development. The report makes recommendations in three areas: public financing, regulatory pathways, and incentives and innovative financing.

Publication date: 2010

Region: North America and Europe

Part of series: GHTC's annual policy reports

This special report offers an overview of the proceedings at the 7th International Symposium on Pneumococci and Pneumococcal Diseases held in Tel Aviv, Israel, from March 14 to 18, 2010. The meeting brought together pneumococcal experts from around the world to discuss the latest advancements in the field of pneumococcal disease research and development. This report captures topics covered at the conference ranging from microbiology and epidemiology of the pneumococcus bacterium to existing and novel pneumococcal vaccines and  treatments, as well as updates on global advocacy efforts and serotype dynamics of pneumococcal disease.

Publication date: 2010

Region: Global

This issue of Directions in Global Health features PATH’s work to optimize vaccine supply systems, advance development of malaria vaccine candidates, prevent postpartum hemorrhage to save mothers’ lives, address health needs in Tanzania, and use monitoring and evaluation systems to further PATH’s mission. It also highlights two prestigious awards that PATH recently received.

Publication date: December 2009

Region: Global

Part of series: Directions in Global Health

This issue of PATH Today features a profile of PATH donor Miriam Sevy and her travels with PATH to Kenya, information about our work in Kenya, and an update on our new headquarters building in downtown Seattle. The issue also highlights Ultra Rice® winning the Tech Award, PATH's profile in a new book about the importance of individual donors, and the year-end matching challenge.

Publication date: December 2009

Region: Global

Part of series: PATH Today

This set of fact sheets details technical activities of PATH's Japanese encephalitis project, with an aim to inform future efforts and programs. The fact sheets were developed as a supplement to PATH's Japanese Encephalitis Project: Collaboration and Commitment to Protect Asia's Children. Topics covered include surveillance of disease burden and disability, cost-effectiveness analysis, diagnostics, advocacy, vaccine development, and vaccine introduction.

Publication date: December 2009

Region: Global

The purpose of this project Optimize survey was to obtain input from stakeholders within the Expanded Programme on Immunization in Vietnam about issues and perceptions related to the storage, distribution, and delivery of the current and potential options for human papillomavirus vaccine presentation and packaging.

Publication date: December 2009

Region: Asia