Open AccessRethinking diffusion of vaccines: giving healthcare a better shot
Author(s) -
Paulo Savaget
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
desenvolvimento em debate
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2763-7778
pISSN - 2176-9257
DOI - 10.51861/ded.dmoz.2.005
Subject(s) - politics , health care , work (physics) , psychological intervention , public relations , knowledge management , business , political science , computer science , medicine , engineering , law , mechanical engineering , psychiatry
Vaccination is an area of rapid scientific and technological advance and is among the most successful public health interventions ever. However, for its potential to be met, innovation systems should not only make vaccines available: it is also essential that delivery systems suit social desires and local peculiarities. This work presents 2 cases of failures in diffusing vaccines, as social, cultural and political aspects were not well addressed throughout the campaigns. Lessons taken from these cases suggest that instead of focusing merely on increasing immunity, policies should integrate interdisciplinary bodies of knowledge and promote social engagement through bottom-up processes. These approaches are not only keener on improving acceptability and efficacy in delivering existing technologies, but also to create (and adapt) novelties based on local capabilities.