The main topic for discussion was immunization, which is recognized worldwide as the only effective way to protect the population and save millions of lives. Let us turn to the convincing statistical facts: In 2017, vaccination helped to reduce the number of deaths in children (aged under 5 years) worldwide by 30%.

However, fears and myths that surround life-saving vaccination impede the full expansion of this process. Do you know, for instance, that the flu vaccine is produced anew every year, based on the data collected from 150 research centers around the world? They monitor, analyze the situation and suggest only the currently circulating strains. The centers give recommendations to manufacturers as to what antigenic characteristics should be included in the vaccine. As a result, the vaccinated person either does not get sick at all during the outbreaks, or has a relatively mild form of disease without serious complications that sometimes lead to irreparable consequences…

The World Health Organization actively supports the message that it is the refusal to vaccinate that is becoming a global threat to humanity. For example, in France vaccination is recognized as mandatory at the state level, and refusing it can entail a fine of 3,750 euros or a 6-month imprisonment…

What is the situation in domestic healthcare? What problems arise in the battle against major socially significant diseases? What vaccines need to be introduced in the national vaccination schedule to protect against socially significant infections? How to increase public awareness of vaccines and build a sustainable compliance? These are some of the issues discussed today by representatives of government agencies, medical institutions, mass media and business.

Vladimir Khristenko: “The main trend today is the transition from a single vaccine to combined products. Already now you may need only 2 vaccines to achieve protection against 10 infections: one against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, Haemophilus influenzae infection, polio, hepatitis; and the second against measles, rubella, chickenpox and mumps. And this is a real breakthrough. Monovaccines are quite relevant to the issue of building compliance: not every parental heart will withstand 10 visits to get 10 shots for their child.

I would like to note another trend – I hope that a number of diseases that are infectious but traditionally not vaccine-controlled may obtain this status in the nearest future. This primarily refers to HIV, hepatitis C, respiratory syncytial virus etc. This area is under active development.”