Quarterly Progress Meeting
Representatives from the Development Research Center of the State Council, the China National Health Development Research Center, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the Beijing Center for Disease Prevention and Control, the Shenzhen Health Development Research and Data Management Center, the Cancer Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, the Shenzhen Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital, Peking University, Fudan University, Zhejiang University, Sichuan University, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Duke Kunshan University, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and other universities and institutions attended the quarterly progress meeting.
Dr. Heng (Anna) Du, the Senior Program Officer of Health, Innovation & Partnerships (HIP) in the China Country Office (CCO) of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, gave the opening remarks of the meeting. Professor Scott MacEachern, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs of Kunshan Duke University, and Professor Tang Shenglan, Director of the Innovation Lab for Vaccine Delivery Research.
Progress Treprt
During the one-and-a-half-day meeting, the participants shared the latest progress of the vaccine delivery-related research projects, “The status of streptococcus pneumoniae infection in children under 5 years old in Hainan Province”, “An economic evaluation of pneumococcal and rotavirus vaccines in China”, “Study of key strategies to improve the accessibility of non-national immunization program vaccines in China”, “Vaccination experience and family burden of childhood national immunization program vaccines: study from a family perspective”, and “Evaluation of pay-it-forward intervention in promoting HPV vaccine uptake among key populations in Chengdu City”.
Special Issue
In addition, the representatives at the meeting deliberated on the preparation of a special issue Infectious Disease of Poverty focusing on vaccine delivery and engaged in brainstorming the next research direction.
Brainstorm Discussion
Dr. Heng (Anna) Du
Senior Program Officer of Health, Innovation & Partnerships (HIP) in China Country Office (CCO), Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
The impact of the Innovation Lab for Vaccine Delivery Research is tremendous. Here, every minute of research may contribute to the safety and efficacy of vaccines for hundreds or even thousands of people. Through new pathways, methods, and collaborative sharing, we catalyze even more new results to benefit more people, especially the elderly, women, and children, which is very proud and gratifying.
Dr. Scott MacEachern
Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Duke Kunshan University
Reflecting on the past three years of the pandemic, it is evident that we must fully mobilize resources from the scientific and industrial communities to assist countries, including China, in addressing future significant outbreaks. We must not only apply traditional ways to solve public health problems but also explore innovative approaches such as vaccine design and delivery. The Innovation Lab for Vaccine Delivery Research provides a great platform for researchers to explore and innovate possibilities.
Dr. Shenglan Tang
Professor of Duke Kunshan University, Director of the Innovation Lab for Vaccine Delivery Research
After three years of the pandemic, we finally had a chance to get together offline. We are grateful for the strong support from the Gates Foundation, and all the cooperating universities and institutions. VaxLab, the Vaccine Delivery Research and Innovation Lab at Duke Kunshan University, has been in operation for more than a year, producing fruitful results including the publication of high-quality academic papers and the release of policy briefs, which have attracted wide attention. We will continue to focus on four key research areas to advance China’s immunization program and improve the population’s well-being.
