Policy challenges in malaria vaccine introduction.

Recently licensed life-saving vaccines have experienced slow introduction and gradual uptake in the developing world. Policy challenges at the national level contribute to the delay in making new vaccines accessible to people in poor countries. The hurdles that delayed the introduction of other vaccines can provide guidance for navigating the policy challenges that face the introduction of a new malaria vaccine. When a malaria vaccine is licensed, national leaders will rely on available data and analyses to draw conclusions about which malaria interventions have the greatest potential for public health impact. Epidemiologic and economic analyses can help facilitate their decision-making. This article draws attention to the importance of research to inform policy decisions and to minimize delays in the introduction of a new malaria vaccine. Copyright 2004 The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene