Volume VII, Number 1 Sabin Vaccine Summer 2004 EPORT The newsletter of the Albert B. Sabin Vaccine InstituteR — dedicated to disease prevention www.sabin.org SVI Celebrates DNA Pioneer James Watson and Biotech Leader Chiron At Awards Gala Event in New York City Emceed by CBS News Chief Washington Correspondent Bob Schieffer

The Sabin Vaccine Institute celebrated a Salute to Life Saving Discoveries during its annual benefit dinner at The Pierre Hotel in New York City May 12, 2004. The evening fea- tured the presentation of awards to Nobel laureate James D. Watson, PhD, and to Howard Pien, president and CEO of Chiron Corporation. “This was an enlightening evening of celebration dedicated to the landmark discoveries that have so greatly en- hanced our understanding of biological science,” said Sabin Chairman H.R. Shepherd. “Dr. Watson’s work has opened wide the fields of biological sci- ence. Products and discoveries from At the Sabin Vaccine Institute Annual Awards Celebration are, from left, emcee Bob Schieffer, CBS News our colleagues2004 at Chiron Corporation Chief Washington Political Correspondent; Howard Pien, Chiron President and Chief Executive Officer; have protected millions from life-threat- Sabin Institute Chairman H.R. Shepherd; and genomics pioneer James D. Watson. ening illnesses, and the company un- derlines this impact with a generous Sabin Board Names New Institute President spiritSabin of corporate philanthropy, most notably demonstrated by its donations Dean D. Mason Appointed President and CEO of polio vaccine to support global eradi- The Board of Trustees of the Albert annual budget of more than $1 billion. cation efforts.” B. Sabin Vaccine Institute announced His role has been to establish terms and AwardsContinued on page 9 the appointment of Dean D. Mason as conditions for the negotiation of CDC’s its new president and chief executive pediatric and adult vaccine contracts, I nside officer. The appointment was effective which make up more than half of the ViewPoint ...... 2 April 7, 2004. “We look forward to Mr. national market share. He has been re- President’s Message ...... 3 Mason’s leadership of the Institute at this sponsible for all Vaccines for Children Cancer Vaccine Consortium News...... 4 important time in the organization’s evo- (VFC) and 317 grant vaccine awards Hookworm Program Review ...... 6 lution,” said Board chairman H.R. Shep- to immunization projects around the Book Review: Vaccines ...... 10 herd. country. He also has overseen monitor- Sabin Institute Relocates ...... 14 At the U.S. Centers for Disease Con- ing and reporting of the nation’s vaccine Walter Orenstein Joins Sabin Board ...... 15 trol and Prevention (CDC) since 1974, supply, including aspects of vaccine or- Calendar ...... 16 Mason served in local and state health dering, storage and distribution for all departments and the National Immuni- vaccines purchased by the states through 2004 Sabin Gold Medal Awarded zation Program (NIP). As chief of the CDC contracts. Further, he has taken to William S. Jordan, Jr., MD, p 7. Program Support Branch of the NIP for the lead in planning and development of the past ten years, Mason managed an the nation’s pediatric vaccine stockpiles. Continued on page 3 2 SUMMER 2004 SABIN VACCINE REPORT

The Sabin Vaccine Report VIEW is published by the POINT Albert B. Sabin Vaccine Institute Subscriptions are free Polio Vaccine’s Successful Debut 50 Years Ago Please direct inquiries to: Spurred Advances That Saved Millions of Lives SABIN VACCINE REPORT —by Peter J. Hotez, MD, PhD and H.R. Shepherd, DSc 161 Cherry Street New Canaan, CT 06840-4818 THIS OPINION COINCIDES WITH THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF phone: 203.972.7907/fax: 203.966.4763 THE FIRST POLIO VACCINE TRIALS IN 1954 www.sabin.org email: [email protected] This spring there’s been a global thanksgiving in both developed and developing nations EDITOR about an event that took place in an affluent Washington suburb fifty years ago. Raymond MacDougall The event was the vaccination of six-year-old Randy Kerr from McLean, Virginia with an ASSOCIATE EDITOR COPY EDITOR Veronica Korn David Bedell experimental polio vaccine developed by Jonas Salk in his University of Pittsburgh laboratory. OFFICERS OF THE SVI BOARD OF TRUSTEES That polio vaccination eventually led to the virtual eradication of one of the world’s most H. R. Shepherd, DSc, Chairman dread diseases and saved millions of lives in the process—a large majority of them in the William R. Berkley, Co-Chairman poor nations of Africa, Asia and Latin America. Michael E. Whitham, Esq., Secretary/ In the months following young Randy’s vaccination, thousands of other American children Treasurer who became known as “Polio Pioneers” stepped up to receive their polio injections as part SVI STAFF Dean D. Mason, President/CEO of an enormous vaccine field trial. Fran G. Sonkin, Executive Vice President Within a year, the data from this extraordinary trial were collected and tabulated and it Paul J. Vilk, RPh, RAC, Vice President, became obvious that the polio vaccine was a success. Parents all over the world started to Program Management and Regulatory breathe a sigh of relief that their children would not die or become permanently paralyzed Affairs, Hookworm Vaccine Initiative from annual summer polio epidemics that had killed and crippled so many. Nathan Tinker, PhD, Executive Director, Cancer Vaccine Consortium The Salk vaccine was just the first in a string of new vaccines against the great virus infections Ciro de Quadros, MD, MPH, Director, of humankind that were developed over the next two decades. These new vaccines came International Programs about largely because of earlier efforts by John Enders and his colleagues at Harvard Medical David Bedell, Director, Educational Programs School who had discovered a way to culture disease-causing viruses in the laboratory. The Raymond MacDougall, Director of legacy of these viral vaccines is a story of epic proportions. Communications For instance, widespread use of the measles vaccine, first developed by Enders, Tom Ana Carvalho, Assistant to the Director, Peebles and Sam Katz in the 1960s, began with the start of the World Health Organization’s International Programs Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) in 1974 when measles was the planet’s single Ellen Clerc, Assistant to the President/ CEO greatest childhood killer responsible for 7 million deaths annually. Through the EPI the Veronica Korn, Research Associate number of annual measles deaths has now been reduced ten-fold to less than 800,000 Christel Lane, Receptionist/Staff Assistant deaths annually. The number of lives saved through the EPI’s measles vaccination program Vanessa Santiago, Assistant to the was recently estimated to be equivalent to the number of lives lost in all wars during the 20th Executive Vice President Evan Sonkin, Information Coordinator century. Putting it in those terms, one could say that the measles vaccine became our first Jean-Serge Valcourt, Accounting weapon of mass peace!

SVI ADVISORS Another extraordinary achievement was a second generation polio vaccine developed by Philip K. Russell, MD, Senior Advisor to Dr. Albert Sabin. Employing live-attenuated virus strains that could be administered orally, the Chairman rather than using killed virus administered by the Salk injections, the Sabin vaccine gained Peter J. Hotez, MD, PhD, Senior Fellow favor worldwide. & Chair, Scientific Advisory Council Few of us realize that the Sabin vaccine was licensed in the U.S. only after it was first tested Anne Gershon, MD, Co-chair, Scientific Advisory Council in tens of millions of Soviet schoolchildren during the late 1950s shortly after the launch of Hugh E. Evans, MD, Sabin Fellow Sputnik. This came about through a little-known but remarkable piece of back-channel William Muraskin, PhD, Sabin Fellow diplomacy between the Eisenhower Administration and the Communist regime in Moscow. Patricia Thomas, Sabin Fellow Today, through widespread use of the Sabin vaccine, polio has been eradicated in all but Nancy Gardner Hargrave, Development Counsel six nations. They are Nigeria, India, Pakistan, Niger, Afghanistan, and Botswana. However, Continued on page 16 dedicated to disease prevention www.sabin.org 3 Entering an Exciting New Era in Which Vaccines Hold Great Promise Message from the President On April 7, 2004, I began work with the Albert B. Sabin Vaccine social policy, and some are leaders whose Institute (SVI) as the President and Chief Executive Officer. I am generosity provides the needed resources for indebted to the Chair, Co-chair, and Board of Trustees for giving me unlocking vaccines’ vast potential. this opportunity to contribute to the legacy of Dr. Sabin. His global During my tenure at SVI I hope we can build vision is easy to understand: we can and must save and improve on past relationships and forge new ones. This people’s lives through research, development, promotion and delivery is an exciting era in which new and improved of vaccines. vaccines and new technologies for shipping, SVI is committed to partnering with industry, government, and other storing and administering vaccines hold great Dean D. Mason advocacy groups; with philanthropic organizations; and with countries promise. I greatly look forward to working with globally to help realize the goal of enabling all children to have access the many collaborators and friends of this institute. Through your to vaccines that reduce and prevent morbidity, sequelae and death. continued engagement with us, we will promote the kind of interactive Above and beyond its past accomplishments and future promise, dialogue among thought leaders that will benefit their formulation of the most appealing aspect of the SVI to me is the caliber and comprehensive and prudent long-range policies to address the commitment of the people who are affiliated with the organization. In vaccine needs of all people everywhere. the world of people who are dedicated to vaccines, it is a “Who’s Who” list of accomplished scientists, dedicated physicians, and leaders Sincerely, in industry, government, and education. The SVI creates a network of caring, knowledgeable people dedicated to saving lives. Some are research scientists, who through their expertise forge medical discoveries, some are business and Dean D. Mason public leaders whose decisions may bring about more enlightened President and Chief Executive Officer

Dean Mason Appointed Sabin Institute President key planning and reference document CDC Experience Accompanies New Leadership at Sabin Institute for state and local immunization program operations. He has been for the past Continued from page 1 tive vaccines and immunization programs several years a principal advisor to the on a global scale.” In 1993, when the VFC program was Advisory Committee on Immunization Dean Mason began his CDC career legislated, Mason was detailed on a spe- Practices and the National Vaccine Ad- in 1974 in Florida, where he served as cial assignment for eight months to de- visory Committee on vaccine supply is- public health advisor for sexually trans- velop and implement the unique program. sues, where he has delivered formal pre- mitted diseases for the Dade County He was responsible for planning, policy sentations several times a year. Health Department and subsequently for development, training, and implementa- Mason is a graduate of Texas A&M- tion of the program in which more than the St. Louis, Missouri Health Depart- Commerce, where he attained a Bach- 80,000 doctors participate as enrolled ment. He began his service with the Na- elor of Science degree. He is recipient providers. “Currently, the VFC program tional Immunization Program in 1978 of numerous professional honors and is one of the best national examples of with an assignment as regional program awards, including the 1995 Public Health partnership between the public and pri- director in Kansas City, Missouri, and Service Superior Service Award for ex- vate health care sectors,” Mason said. subsequently in Houston, Texas and was ceptional leadership in the development “The program encourages widespread later appointed state immunization pro- and implementation of the Vaccines for provider participation to better ensure gram director for South Carolina. The Children program, as well as being hon- equal access for immunization services National Immunization Program trans- ored for the VFC program that same through the purchase and supply of vac- ferred him in 1985 to its headquarters in year during President Clinton’s Rose cines for eligible children.” Atlanta. He served as development and Garden Ceremony. In 1992, he was rec- “I look forward to applying my lead- campaign coordinator of the Immuniza- ognized during President George H. ership and management skills with the tion Action Plan (IAP) that in the early Bush’s Rose Garden Ceremony for con- Albert B. Sabin Vaccine Institute,” Ma- 1990s worked to accomplish local and tributions to the development of Immu- son said. “I am particularly eager to de- national immunization goals in the coun- nization Action Plans. He has published velop the public and private consortia that try. This two-year effort led to the de- reports in the Journal of Health Care advance the cause of public health and velopment of Immunization Action Plans for the Poor and Underserved and in that serve to promote the use of effec- in all states. The IAP serves today as a Public Health Reports. 4 SUMMER 2004 SABIN VACCINE REPORT Cancer Vaccine Consortium Engages Regulatory Process Clinical and Manufacturing Working Groups Created to Develop FDA Engagement Policies The regulation of cancer warned, though, that the working groups to address issues and The next meeting of the the vaccines by the U.S. Food CVC will be Nov. 7-8, 2004 cancer vaccine market challenges in federal regulation of can- and Drug Administration in San Francisco. could be ripe territory for cer vaccines. The working groups, fo- (FDA) and European Union price controls, especially cused, respectively, on clinical issues and offers both opportunities and potential in light of the newly-passed Medicare manufacturing issues, will prepare a se- pitfalls for industry and research, ac- bill. His talk, entitled “Cancer Vaccines: ries of position papers on specific issues cording to speakers at the April 2004 The Economics Is as Tough as the Sci- and engage the FDA in a series of meet- meeting of the Cancer Vaccine Consor- ence,” looked skeptically at the FDA’s ings to address these issues. tium (CVC), “Federal Regulation and regulatory process and questioned the “These clinical and manufacturing Cancer Vaccines.” As part of the meet- agency’s success in pharmaceutical li- working groups are an important step in ing, the CVC launched two new work- censing. the Cancer Vaccine Consortium’s de- ing groups to address regulatory issues Other presentations at the meeting in- velopment,” said Dr. Nathan Tinker, ex- and engage the FDA in policy discus- cluded an overview of the cancer vac- ecutive director of the CVC. “The sions. The meeting, held in Orlando, cine regulation process in the European CVC’s ultimate goal is to help cancer Florida, was the CVC’s third semi-an- Union by Dr. Thomas Hinz of the Paul- victims by getting cancer vaccines out nual meeting. Ehrlich-Institut, and an analysis of the of the laboratory and into patients. By The meeting featured a workshop with emerging cancer vaccine market by addressing regulation directly with FDA, Dr. Steven Hirschfeld, MD, PhD, of the Steven Heffner of Kalorama Informa- we can have a tangible impact on the FDA’s Center for Biological Evaluation tion. process and, hopefully, find opportuni- and Research. Dr. Hirschfeld’s presen- The meeting prompted the Cancer ties to bring these important therapies tation outlined the process FDA uses in Vaccine Consortium to launch two new to market.” evaluating and licensing cancer vac- About the CVC The Cancer Vaccine Consortium was founded in 2003 under the auspices of the cines. He said that the FDA was inter- Albert B. Sabin Vaccine Institute. The mission of the CVC is to pursue common goals and overcome ested in working with industry to develop common hurdles in the development of cancer vaccines, and to serve as a vehicle through which processes and procedures for evaluat- to engage the public, regulators, policymakers, and patients about developments in this emerging ing cancer vaccines. field. More than 25 companies, universities and research institutes comprise the CVC. For more Dr. John Calfee, Resident Scholar at information about the CVC, call (203) 972-7907, write to [email protected], or visit www.sabin.org/ the American Enterprise Institute, cv_consortium. SVI Co-sponsors Washington Conference on Biodefense Vaccines SVI Board Members Philip K. Russell, MD and Lance Gordon, PhD Lend Expertise in Keynote Talks

The Sabin Vaccine Institute partici- evident dedication to build a robust Philip K. Russell, MD, SVI found- pated as co-sponsor of the Second biodefense industry. ing president and acting director of Biodefense Vaccines, Therapeutics Representatives from universities, the Office of Research and Devel- and Diagnostics Conference in pharmaceutical companies, the bio- opment Coordination in the Office of Washington, DC in mid-April. The technology industry, medical service the Assistant Secretary for Public meeting focused on the state of the and diagnostic companies, and the pub- Health Emergency Preparedness, art in biodefense vaccines, therapeu- lic health community gathered to ex- U.S. Department of Health and Hu- tics and diagnostics and the regula- plore the latest information about the man Services, delivered the keynote tory framework for testing and ap- opportunities to participate in the vital speech at the opening of the meet- proving these products. national effort to quickly bring new ing. He addressed the government’s The conference addressed the U.S. biodefense vaccines, therapeutics, and biodefense vaccine, therapeutic, and government’s commitment to rapidly diagnostics to market. The conference diagnostic goals, priorities, and pro- develop biomedical countermeasures also focused on the national work un- grams. Lance Gordon, PhD, Presi- against bioterrorist threats, which has derway to put in place the structure dent and CEO of VaxGen, Inc. and stimulated a tremendous boost to and incentives needed to enable a ro- SVI trustee, delivered a lunch key- biodefense research. The effect has bust biodefense industry for vaccines, note on creating effective public-pri- been growing interest in expanding therapeutics, and clinical diagnostics. vate partnerships in biodefense. research resources and facilities, and dedicated to disease prevention www.sabin.org 5 Researchers Explore Cutting-Edge Cancer Vaccine Development 2004 Sabin Colloquium on Cancer Vaccines and Immunotherapy Held at Walker’s Cay Approximately forty of the world’s notherapy. According to H.R. Shepherd, cer.” From the time of that declaration, leading cancer vaccine researchers met chairman of the Sabin Vaccine Institute, however, cancer rates have climbed, from March 10-13, 2004 at a scientific “Each time that this many talented and though survival for many patients has colloquium organized by the Albert B. dedicated scientists meet to advance been prolonged by research efforts and Sabin Vaccine Institute to report on the cancer vaccine research, there is greater improved therapies. Vaccines would be latest developments in cancer therapies. promise for vaccine therapies to become the newest of the products available to Cancer vaccines—alternatives to radia- available for cancer patients—and all the treat cancer. tion and chemotherapy—are more tar- sooner.” This meeting was the first since the geted and would not cause the unwanted Walker’s Cay, a small island in the death this past August of Robert side effects cancer patients now face. Bahamas, is otherwise known for sport Abplanalp, who owned the sport fishing The promising field looks to the body’s fishing and as the retreat where, in 1969, compound on Walker’s Cay and provided immune system to attack existing can- President Richard Nixon originated the the venue to the Institute for its meet- cerous cells. now famous declaration of “war on can- ing. Goals of the meeting included inspir- ing novel bench-to-bedside ventures and at the same time providing feedback about promising or otherwise novel clini- cal results that could help re-frame some scientific question or guide the design of future trials. Several topics were cov- ered that included tumor antigen discov- ery and validation, platforms for vaccine development, tolerance, immune sup- pression and tumor escape mechanisms, adoptive T cell therapy and dendritic cell- based therapies, clinical trials and as- sessment of response. Animated discus- sion followed each individual presenta- tion. The meeting took place at Walker’s Cay in the Bahamas and was the sixth in the annual series of meetings known Participants convened for the 2004 Sabin Institute Cancer Vaccines and Immunotherapy as the Sabin Vaccine Institute Collo- Colloquium at Walker’s Cay, Bahamas. quium on Cancer Vaccines and Immu- Participants were drawn from bio- Colloquium Participants medical research departments at sev- David Bedell, Sabin Vaccine Institute Alain Luxembourg, MD PhD, Ichor Medical Systems Neil L. Berinstein, MD, Aventis Pasteur Ltd. H. Kim Lyerly, MD, Duke University Medical Center eral of the nation’s leading universities Ivan Borrello, MD, Johns Hopkins University Francesco M. Marincola, MD, NIH and institutions abroad, the pharmaceu- Robert K. Bright, PhD, Texas Tech Matthew F. Mescher, PhD, University of Minnesota tical industry, nongovernmental organi- Maurizio Chiriva-Internati, MD PhD, Texas Tech Sally Mossman, PhD, Corixa Corporation Tyler Jay Curiel, MD MPH, Tulane University Michael I. Nishimura, PhD, University of Chicago zations, members of biological research Soldano Ferrone, MD PhD, Roswell Park Cancer Gerry Rowse, PhD, Stressgen Biotechnologies institutes and government research labo- Institute Michel Sadelain, MD PhD, Memorial Sloan-Kettering ratories. This year’s colloquium was co- Lothar Finke, MD, EMD Pharmaceuticals Inc. Stephen P. Schoenberger, PhD, La Jolla Institute Bernard A. Fox, PhD , Robert W. Franz Cancer Hans Schreiber, MD PhD, University of Chicago chaired by W. Martin Kast, PhD, Walter Research Center H.R. Shepherd, DSc,Sabin Vaccine Institute A. Richter Chair for Cancer Research Allan L. Goldstein, PhD , George Washington Univ. Eduardo M. Sotomayor, MD, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Kristen Hege, MD, Cell Genesys Center and professor of molecular microbiology W. Martin Kast, PhD (Co-Chair), Univ. of Southern Nathan Tinker, PhD, Sabin Vaccine Institute and immunology at the University of California David L. Urdal, PhD, Dendreon Corporation Southern California, and Hyam Levitsky, Tibor Keler, PhD, Medarex, Inc. John Vasilakos, PhD, 3M Pharmaceuticals Rolf Kiessling, MD PhD, Karolinska Institute Robert H. Vonderheide, MD, DPhil, Univ. of Penn. MD, professor of oncology, medicine, Hyam I. Levitsky, MD (Co-Chair), Johns Hopkins Michael E. Whitham, Esq., Whitham, Curtis & urology and immunology at Johns Hans Loibner, PhD, Igeneon AG Christofferson, P.C. Hopkins University. Hua Yu, PhD, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center 6 SUMMER 2004 SABIN VACCINE REPORT Human Hookworm Vaccine Initiative Annual Review Takes Stock of Milestone Accomplishments, Looks Ahead to Clinical Trials of the Vaccine The annual review for the Human ing. The building also houses the Aeras livery of the vaccine and cost effective- Hookworm Vaccine Initiative (HHVI), Global TB Foundation, another Gates ness; from Gary Simon, MD, with GW with team members and external review Foundation grantee. Medical Faculty Associates, who will guests from the United States, as well Maria Elena Bottazzi, PhD, assistant conduct the Phase I clinical trial in the as from the United Kingdom and Brazil, professor of microbiology and tropical United States; from Matt Veatch from convened June 22, 2004 in Bethesda, medicine at GW, and project manager the clinical trials consulting firm Maryland. for the HHVI, provided an overview of Quintiles, describing the epidemiological The team led by Peter J. Hotez, MD, the product development process for the studies and Phase I-IIa and Phase IIb PhD, professor and chair of microbiol- vaccine, known as Na-ASP-2 hook- clinical trials in Brazil; and by Simon ogy and tropical medicine at The George worm vaccine. She described the Brooker of the London School of Hy- Washington University (GW) achieved workflow, cloning and construction giene and Tropical Medicine. most of the milestones under the first phase, process development and manu- Since the vision for the HHVI project five-year grant from the Bill and Melinda facture phase, quality control measures, is to provide a vaccine for the areas that Gates Foundation to identify and begin pre-clinical testing for tests on a vaccine with a preventive ef- toxicity, and regulatory fect against the parasitic infection. The issues involved in mak- grant is facilitated through the Sabin ing the vaccine. Vaccine Institute. The team presented An illuminating pre- its roadmap looking forward in the de- sentation on the bio- velopment process for the vaccine. chemical structural Hotez opened the meeting with an studies of the Na-ASP- overview of the project and its goals. 2 hookworm vaccine What started as his vision while still in was provided by Toyin medical school at the Cornell and Asojo, research assis- Rockefeller universities in New York tant professor at the has for the past four years been funded University of Nebraska Gathered for a preparation meeting for the Human Hookworm in a significant way by the Gates Foun- Medical Center. Her Vaccine Initiative project are, from left, Sabin trustee Michael dation. The fulfillment of his pursuit of a presentation slides in- Whitham, field researcher Jeff Bethony, technical advisor Phil hookworm vaccine will benefit young cluded images of crys- Russell, program manager Paul Vilk, principal investigator Pe- and old in tropical developing countries tals formed within the ter Hotez, project manager Maria Elena Bottazzi, and SVI Presi- where hookworm affects 740 million vaccine’s chemical dent and CEO Dean Mason. people. A vaccine could stave off the structure. She also pre- effects of anemia and stunted physical sented various depictions of the makeup are most impacted by the disease, two and intellectual growth caused by the of the vaccine, through microbiological special guests of this annual review constant blood loss from hookworm. illustrations and DNA mapping. were Isaias Raw, from the Brazilian fed- Simon Brooker, an epidemiologist at As the scientific project unfolds, some eral vaccine laboratory known as the London School of Hygiene and Tropi- aspects of intellectual property must be Butantan, and Rodrigo Correa-Oliveira, cal Medicine, presented a mathemati- addressed. Michael Whitham, from the PhD, head of the Laboratory of Cellular cal model of the impact of a hookworm law firm Whitham, Curtis, and and Molecular Immunology for the Bra- vaccine, demonstrating that in terms of Christofferson, provided an informative zilian Ministry of Health. disability affected life years (DALYs) discussion regarding patent issues and To conclude the day’s presentations, a vaccine would significantly improve intellectual property guidelines as the Alex Loukas, PhD, Queensland Institute the lives of the poor in tropical areas project ensues. of Medical Research, and ongoing col- where hookworm is endemic. Jeff Bethony, PhD, assistant profes- laborator on the HHVI project, pre- HHVI program manager and Sabin sor of microbiology and tropical medi- sented his research on hemoglobinases Vaccine Institute Vice President for cine at GW, and field scientist for the as anti-hookworm vaccines. He also Regulatory Affairs Paul Vilk outlined the HHVI project, described the clinical presented the case for a second antigen organizational structure of the project. development plan and clinical testing being added to Na-ASP-2 hookworm The Sabin Institute’s new site in phases for the vaccine. He was assisted vaccine for an attack on the adult stage Bethesda where Vilk is situated was the in this discussion by presentations from of the parasite as well as the larval stage. host location for the annual review meet- Don Shepard on the strategies for de- dedicated to disease prevention www.sabin.org 7 Prestigious Sabin Gold Medal Presented to Physician William S. Jordan, Jr., MD Sabin Vaccine Institute Recognizes 2004 Medal Recipient at May 25 Ceremony William S. Jordan, Jr., MD, physician, “He was the creator and chief teacher, and noted vaccine researcher advocate for a new effort, was presented with the prestigious 2004 which he dubbed the ‘Accel- Albert B. Sabin Gold Medal at a cer- erated Development of Vac- emony on May 25, 2004. Dr. Jordan is cines.’ He sensed that scien- the twelfth recipient of this recognition tific progress was accelerat- by the scientific community, awarded ing and that the very pace of annually by the Sabin Vaccine Institute discovery was going to yield to honor achievements by vaccinologists many new ideas for vaccines and infectious disease experts. The cer- of all kinds. emony was held at the Crystal Gateway “It was this marriage of Marriott in Arlington, Virginia in conjunc- new science and the practi- tion with the 2004 Conference on Vac- cal application of that science cine Research. in the form of new vaccines An auspicious meeting: William S. Jordan, Jr., MD and Dr. Jordan’s distinguished career in the and other interventions that Heloisa Sabin, widow of the late Dr. Albert B. Sabin, take field of preventive medicine spans more motivated him and us—his an opportunity prior to the ceremony to get acquainted. than 60 years as a practicing physician, subordinates in the Microbi- dedicated teacher, and noted infectious ology and Infectious Diseases Program. Infectious Diseases. A key part of his disease researcher. “There are few “Bill embodies all of the elements that mission there, where he remains active names in vaccine research as recogniz- make a Sabin Award winner,” today on a voluntary basis, was the ad- able and few who have contributed as LaMontagne concluded. “His commit- vancement of vaccine research initia- much to this life-saving field as William ment and belief that research is the key tives. He is author or co-author of more Jordan,” said H.R. Shepherd, chairman to new developments in vaccinology is than 100 papers, textbook chapters and of the Sabin Vaccine Institute. unquestioned, his commitment to a rig- two books. Dr. Jordan established an annual sci- orous scientific approach in the pursuit The Sabin Gold Medal Advisory Com- entific review, known as the Jordan Re- of vaccines is unassailable, and his com- mittee is composed of previous recipi- port, considered by many in the scien- mitment to the translation of basic re- ents and is chaired by Maj. Gen. Philip tific community to be the most complete search into tangible interventions that K. Russell, MD (USA Ret.), who is the reference available on vaccine research benefit people is unambiguous.” seventh recipient of the honor. The list and development today. During the A graduate of Harvard Medical of previous Sabin Gold Medal recipients course of his career he advanced na- School, Dr. Jordan held faculty posts at includes some of the foremost contribu- tional and global disease prevention the Western Reserve University in the tors to the modern era of public health. strategies as well as promotion of vac- Department of Preventive Medicine, Noted vaccine developers and disease cine research. He helped launch a with the University of Virginia School eradication experts are among the re- unique program at the National Institute of Medicine as chair of Preventive cipients of the award. of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Medicine, and subsequently at (NIAID) that today serves to focus the University of Kentucky as needed attention and resources on new dean of the College of Medi- vaccines and vaccine improvements. cine. He also served as direc- Dr. Jordan received a tribute and in- tor of the Commission of troduction from John R. LaMontagne, Acute Respiratory Diseases PhD, deputy director, NIAID, National of the Armed Forces Epide- Institutes of Health. “His tremendous ex- miological Board. He spent a perience in dealing with respiratory in- sabbatical year at the London fections and influenza in particular was School of Hygiene and Tropi- invaluable to me,” Dr. LaMontagne said cal Medicine. of Dr. Jordan’s mentorship at NIAID. From 1976 to 1987, Dr. Jor- “I cannot think of anyone more deserv- dan served as director of the ing of the recognition of this award.” Microbiology and Infectious Sabin Institute Chairman H.R. Shepherd, at right, con- Recalling Jordan’s outstanding scien- Diseases Program at the Na- gratulates Dr. Jordan following presentation ceremony. tific achievements, LaMontagne said, tional Institute of Allergy and 8 SUMMER 2004 SABIN VACCINE REPORT MMR Vaccine and Thimerosal-Containing Vaccines Are Not Associated with Autism IOM Report Takes a Firm Stand with Science on Emotionally Charged Issue Based on a thorough review of clini- Feldberg Professor of Maternal and have a toxic effect on the nervous sys- cal and epidemiological studies, neither Child Health, Harvard School of Public tem and that prenatal exposures to an- the mercury-based vaccine preservative Health, Boston. “We strongly support other form of mercury have been shown thimerosal nor the measles-mumps-ru- ongoing research to discover the cause to adversely affect early childhood de- bella (MMR) vaccine are associated with or causes of this devastating disorder. velopment, the committee concluded in autism, says a new report from the Insti- Resources would be used most effec- 2001 that it was possible to hypothesize tute of Medicine of the National Acad- tively if they were directed toward those that thimerosal might trigger emies. Furthermore, the hypotheses re- avenues of inquiry that offer the great- neurodevelopmental problems. The com- garding how the MMR vaccine and est promise for answers. Without sup- mittee revisited these issues because thimerosal could trigger autism lack sup- porting evidence, the vaccine hypothesis several studies exploring the epidemiol- porting evidence and are theoretical only. does not hold such promise.” ogy and biological mechanisms of pos- Further research to find the cause of au- The report updates two earlier IOM sible links between vaccines and autism tism should be directed toward other lines reports, published in 2001, on possible have been undertaken during the past of inquiry that are supported by current links between autism and the MMR vac- three years. knowledge and evidence and offer more cine and thimerosal. At that time, the Five large epidemiological studies con- promise for providing an answer, said the committee determined that the evidence ducted in the United States, the United committee that wrote the report. did not show an association between the Kingdom, Denmark, and Sweden since “The overwhelming evidence from MMR vaccine and autism, but there was 2001 consistently provided evidence that several well-designed studies indicates not enough evidence to determine there is no association between thime- that childhood vaccines are not associ- whether thimerosal was associated with rosal-containing vaccines and autism. ated with autism,” said committee chair neurodevelopmental disorders such as Similarly, 14 large epidemiological stud- Marie McCormick, Sumner and Esther autism. Given that mercury is known to Continued on page 14

Immunization Week Is Launched in Haiti SVI President Dean Mason Represents the Institute at International Gathering for Immunization

Dean Mason, SVI president, repre- from each country, U.S. Ambassador to 20 percent had never received a vac- sented the Sabin Vaccine Institute (SVI) Haiti James B. Foley, PAHO Director cine, according to PAHO officials. during immunization events in Haiti on Mirta Roses, and agencies including Jon Andrus, MD, chief of PAHO’s Im- April 23-24, 2004. The events were part UNICEF, the Red Cross, and SVI. munization Unit, said, “The preliminary of Vaccination Week in the Americas, The highlight of the campaign was an results speak for themselves. We are a cooperative effort among 42 countries official launching of the vaccination cam- still collecting data, but it looks like we in the Western Hemisphere to vaccinate paign on April 24th in Fond Parisien, a will be very close to reaching the 40 both children and adults. small rural community in Haiti situated million people targeted across the Re- Coordination of the overall campaign close to the border with the Dominican gion.” was led by the Pan American Health Republic. About 100 children partook in Immunization activities were carried Organization (PAHO) with the coopera- that vaccination effort, which under- out along 18 border areas throughout the tion and the conduct of programs led by scored the need to reduce the morbidity continent. Both Canada and the United the ministries of health within the par- and mortality resulting from vaccine pre- States supported the initiative with pub- ticipating countries. In addition to the ac- ventable diseases. lic awareness campaigns to raise con- tual vaccination effort, there was an “Though the infrastructure of Haiti is sciousness about the importance of vac- extensive education campaign introduced in disarray and the government is pres- cines, especially to immigrant commu- throughout the region. For the first time ently unstable, it is evident that both gov- nities. events coincided with “National Immu- ernment officials and representatives of The campaign coincided with National nization Week” in the United States. the different support organizations are Infant Immunization Week in the U.S. A number of organizations lent their committed to effective vaccination pro- Over 500 communities across the coun- name and support to the campaign. In grams,” observed Mason. The poorest try participated, using the same theme Haiti, representing a joint vaccine initia- country of the continent, Haiti set an in support of the continental campaign: tive between Haiti and the Dominican impressive example during the week by “Vaccination: An Act of Love: Love Republic were the ministers of health vaccinating 150,000 children, of whom them, Protect Them, Immunize Them.” dedicated to disease prevention www.sabin.org 9 Salute to Life Saving Discoveries 2004 Annual Awards Celebration Continued from page 1 a member of the Broadcasting/Cable The awards program is a yearly tra- Hall of Fame. dition for the Institute and extols the James D. Watson, who received the contributions made by scientists, phi- Sabin Humanitarian Award, is re- lanthropists, and humanitarians, who nowned for his discovery of the struc- share in some aspect of the goals of ture of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), advancing vaccine science for the ben- for which he shared with Francis efit of humanity. The master of cer- Crick and Maurice Wilkins the 1962 emonies was CBS News Chief Wash- Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medi- ington Correspondent Bob Schieffer. cine. The double helix is an elegant One of the nation’s most respected jour- concept central to the field of molecu- nalists, Schieffer is the anchor and mod- lar biology: its structure offers clues Sabin Institute Chairman H.R. Shepherd welcomes guests erator of Face the Nation, CBS News’ about the functioning of a particular to the 2004 Sabin Awards. molecule. In 1968, Dr. Watson be- Sunday public affairs broadcast, and is Dikembe Mutombo, the 7-foot-2-inch came Director of Cold Spring Harbor center for the New York Knicks. In- Laboratory in New York, where he was vited to speak about the foundation in recently appointed Chancellor. his name, he drew attention at first by Chiron Corporation, which was rec- his sheer stature above the podium. ognized with the Global Corporate Phi- Attention quickly turned to inspiration lanthropy Award, addresses human suf- at the scope of the vision of Mutombo’s fering with more than 50 diverse prod- foundation: building a hospital in his ucts to detect, prevent and treat dis- native Democratic Republic of the ease worldwide. The company has glo- Congo, which will be the first new hos- bal businesses in Blood Testing, Vac- pital in that area in 40 years. “Science cines and BioPharmaceuticals. Howard is something I have wanted to do since Pien, the company’s president and chief eighth grade,” Mutombo said. He came executive officer, was on hand to ac- to the United States on a scholarship cept the award on behalf of the com- to study medicine in 1987. “I have al- Judah Folkman, MD introduces James D. Watson, pany. In addition to the development of ways felt as a human being that we recipient of the Sabin Humanitarian Award. life-saving and life-enhancing products, have an obligation to society to give Chiron has worked to im- something back. We have to save the prove the quality of human world for the next generation. We will life around the world through all be judged by the next generation.” company-sponsored pro- The hospital is due to open in June grams and philanthropy and 2006. by encouraging employee volunteer efforts. Chiron Vaccines has donated 30 mil- lion doses of polio vaccine to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, spearheaded by the World Health Organization (WHO), Rotary Interna- tional, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Preven- tion (CDC) and UNICEF, for international vaccination campaigns. John Robbins, MD, makes introductory remarks A giant in sports meets a giant in science: Dikembe Mutombo, Among several testimoni- honoring Howard Pien, Chiron Corporation, who New York Knicks’ center, congratulates James D. Watson, PhD, als to the lifesaving power of accepted the first Sabin Global Corporate Philan- winner of the Sabin Humanitarian Award. medicine was that by thropy Award. 10 SUMMER 2004 SABIN VACCINE REPORT BOOK REVIEW Vaccines: Preventing Disease and Protecting Health Review of Comprehensive New Book on Vaccine Research from PAHO, Edited by Ciro de Quadros, MD, MPH Vaccines have led to some of the immunization programs using existing respiratory syndrome (SARS) have greatest public health triumphs. vaccines to the frontiers of vaccine been recognized, other infectious agents, Smallpox has been eradicated, polio is research. The text consists of 48 such as West Nile Virus, have emerged on the verge of eradication, and chapters written by 76 authors, most of affecting new population groups, and substantial progress has been made on whom are among the top international bioterrorism has become a real threat. interrupting measles transmission in the authorities in their fields. Thus, the development of new vaccines Americas and in a number of other While many of the contributors are will be a never ending process. In the countries around the world. During basic scientists, the book is targeted at meantime, there are many infectious 2002, the centennial year of the Pan a level that public health and policy disease burdens that are not being American Health Organization (PAHO), makers can understand, yet at the same optimally controlled with available a meeting was held to review the time, it does not compromise the need vaccines because they have not yet been accomplishments of vaccines and to report on key scientific challenges and incorporated into developing country vaccination programs—both within the developments. The text is divided into immunization programs. Finally, there Region of the Americas and throughout eight sections starting with a discussion are diseases that are not yet preventable the world—and challenges for the of four diseases, polio, measles, rubella, by vaccines but for which current efforts Future. Over 250 scientists, health care and yellow fever, that are covered in will hopefully lead to vaccines. and public health officials participated. PAHO’s current immunization program; Vaccines: Preventing Disease and From that meeting, has come Vaccines: a section on licensed vaccines in some Protecting Health will be a valuable Preventing Disease and Protecting industrialized countries, some of which resource to anyone working in the control Health. The book, edited by Ciro de are making their way into developing of vaccine-preventable diseases. In a Quadros, the major driving force behind country immunization programs; several single text of only 368 pages, a vast many of PAHO’s successful sections on vaccines under development; array of well-written, easily immunization initiatives, represents a sections on new technologies being used comprehensible information is comprehensive and easily readable to develop and administer vaccines; a presented, that informs the reader of the compilation of outstanding articles on a section on vaccines against potential latest developments in vaccinology and wide variety of immunization issues, agents of bioterrorism; and finally educates the public health practitioner ranging from improving the impact of several sections on regulatory issues, to make better use of existing vaccines industry perspectives, consumer and to anticipate future vaccines. concerns, and financing vaccines for immunization programs. —by Walter Orenstein, MD, Profes- The number of diseases preventable sor of Medicine and Pediatrics, by vaccines is increasing. However, Emory University as Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, notes in his chapter, the To Order This book need for more vaccines to Vaccines is available from the Pan American Health prevent new infectious Organization. Visit the following web page for order burdens is also increasing. information: publications.paho.org or call 301- In the past decade, new 617-7806. infectious agents such as the corona virus that 2004,412p., causes severe acute ISBN 92 75 11596 6 Order code: SP 596 Price: US$62.00 / US$46.00 in Latin America and the Caribbean Languages Available: English dedicated to disease prevention www.sabin.org 11 New Technologies Promise More Effective Vaccines, Experts Say Ciro de Quadros Is Editor of New Book on the Impact of Vaccines in Our Time A variety of new technologies driving bench to the bush. vaccine research promise effective and “Other chal- more clearly targeted vaccines The con- lenges include main- stant evolution of microbes, however, can taining political will, only be combated by more biomedical communicating with research, according to Dr. Anthony consumers to show Fauci, director of the National Institute the benefits of vac- of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. cines, and making To combat both new and old diseases, sure people know we must rely on research to make new, after September safer and better vaccines for HIV/ 11th that vaccines AIDS, smallpox, anthrax, SARS, and have become an im- A panel of vaccine researchers was on hand at the National Press others, Fauci said today in a conference portant tool in the Club in Washington, DC to announce the publication of Vaccines: at the National Press Club organized by fight against Preventing Disease and Protecting Health, edited by Ciro de the Pan American Health Organization bioterrorism,” de Quadros, director of International Programs of the Sabin Vaccine (PAHO). Getting these vaccines to Quadros added. Institute and former director of the PAHO Division of Vaccines and people who need them is the most im- Henderson said Immunization. The panel presentation included, at top, from left, portant thing, he added. public health Jon Kim Andrus, MD, chief of PAHO’s Immunization Unit; Donald A. Dr. D.A. Henderson founded the achievements due Henderson, MD, MPH, professor of public health and medicine at Johns Hopkins Center for Civilian to vaccines have the University of Pittsburgh and resident fellow of the Center for Biodefense Strategies and led the global been dramatic, with Biosecurity; and Dr. de Quadros. smallpox eradication program. He said, smallpox and polio “Clearly, vaccines are a principal eradicated, measles at an all-time low, children in the world receiving vaccines weapon in public health and it’s valid to and low numbers of cases of other dis- and this is truly remarkable.” have a great emphasis on vaccine re- eases preventable by vaccines, at least Dr. Peter Hotez, who chairs George search, but we need much more funding in the Americas. Washington University’s microbiology for research.” But, Henderson recalled, 34 years ago and tropical medicine department, said, The cataclysmic September 11 attack when smallpox eradication was starting, “Twenty-five years into the genetic en- and the anthrax events just afterward “We found that smallpox was the only gineering revolution, major advances raised awareness of bioterror and got vaccine being used. There were no public have not panned out yet. people to ask what we have and what health vaccinations against polio, Continued on page 12 we can get. The answer is that vaccines measles or other diseases, and we cre- are a major weapon against bioterrorism ated the concept of an and we need new vaccines and more expanded immuniza- research, Henderson said. tion program in a Henderson and Fauci both authored meeting at the Pan chapters of a new book published by American Health Or- PAHO, Vaccines: Preventing Disease ganization.” and Protecting Health, which was ed- PAHO’s Assistant ited by Dr. Ciro de Quadros, head of Director, Dr. Carissa international programs at the Sabin Vac- Etienne, said, “The Ex- cine Institute and former director of panded Program on PAHO’s Division of Vaccines and Im- Immunization is one of munization. the most significant De Quadros, speaking at the press achievements of this club event, said, “The good news is that century, and the role Above, from left, Drs. de Quadros; Carissa F. Etienne, PAHO the tremendous revolution in biotech- of vaccines will be Assistant Director; Anthony S. Fauci, director of the National nology will give us several new vaccines, magnified in the 21st Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; and Peter Hotez, including vaccines for diseases that we Century.” By 1990, professor and chair of the Department of Microbiology and thought were chronic. But the challenge Henderson said, “We Tropical Medicine at The George Washington University, and is how to move these vaccines from the had 80 percent of the head of the SVI Scientific Advisory Committee. 12 SUMMER 2004 SABIN VACCINE REPORT Sabin Institute Pursues Commitment to International Health Ciro de Quadros Criss-crosses the Globe to Represent Sabin Vaccine Institute Commitment to International Health The International Programs of the considering introduction of rubella-con- he presented a paper on Western Sabin Vaccine Institute have broadened taining vaccine in its national immuniza- Hemisphere polio eradication at a forum in scope under the direction of Ciro de tion program, which would make South of European and Latin American Quadros, MD. In recent months, he rep- Africa the first African country to start Countries in Recife, Brazil. He also resented the Institute at an array of sci- a rubella control program. lectured at the Eighth Vaccinology entific and international public health The Sabin Vaccine Institute, in Course held by the Autonomous meetings. His activities spanned the collaboration with the Centers for University of Barcelona, Spain. globe—from Japan to Finland, addressing Disease Control, the World Health In May, Dr. de Quadros visited in Fin- pediatricians about measles immuniza- Organization, the American Red Cross, land, Angola, Ethiopia and Egypt, among tion, and to all corners of Africa, partici- and the March of Dimes, organized a other stops. He presented a paper en- pating in the technical advisory groups meeting in Geneva, Switzerland in April. titled “Eradication of Measles: Suc- on polio eradication. He also conferred The meeting focused on aerosol measles cesses and Challenges” at the meeting on strategies for AIDS vaccine re- vaccine development and addressed the of the European Society for Pediatric search, rotavirus vaccine introduction, potential of a non-injectable measles Infectious Disease in Finland. He par- and rubella vaccine implementation. vaccine technology. Later in the month, ticipated in the Technical Advisory Dr. de Quadros was an invited speaker Group on Polio Eradication in Egypt and at an international symposium on the chaired the advisory groups for Angola elimination of measles organized by the and Ethiopia (see story on page 13). Japan Pediatric Society in collaboration The Sabin Vaccine Institute was well with the American Academy of Pediat- represented at the Global Vaccine Re- rics. Insufficient measles vaccination search Forum in Montreux, Switzerland. coverage in Japan has led to exporta- Dr. de Quadros, SVI President and CEO tion of the disease to other countries Dean Mason, and SVI Scientific Advi- around the world. Dr. de Quadros led sory Council Chair Peter Hotez, MD, the effort at the Pan American Health PhD, attended. The forum is hosted Organization to achieve interruption of jointly by the WHO’s Initiative for Vac- indigenous measles transmission in the cine Research (WHO/IVR) and the Glo- Americas. bal Alliance for Vaccines and Immuni- Venturing to South Africa in March, zation (GAVI), and brings together top de Quadros lectured on rubella control researchers and scientists. Maria Elena in Johannesburg. The country will be Bottazzi, PhD, George Washington Uni- versity researcher and Human Hook- worm Vaccine Initiative project manager, New Book on Vaccines Published also attended the forum. Kenya and Uganda were among the Experts Convene to Announce the Latest Research in Print stops de Quadros made in June, as a Continued from page 11 member of the International AIDS Vac- Only a Hepatitis B vaccine has been PAHO was established in 1902 and cines Initiative (IAVI), followed by a developed so far, but with more fund- works to improve the health and the return to Switzerland. He will visit Ja- ing we have hopes for new vaccines quality of life of people of the Ameri- pan in July to lecture at the Seminar on for malaria, tuberculosis, hookworm, cas. It also serves as the Regional Of- Eradication of Vaccine Preventable Dis- and others.” fice for the Americas of the World eases. One major problem, Hotez said, is Health Organization (WHO). PAHO that the vaccine industry is not healthy. member states today include all 35 Would you like to read Low profits have dropped the num- countries in the Americas. France, the the Sabin Vaccine ber of manufacturers from 20 to only Kingdom of the Netherlands, and the Report online? Our 4 in the U.S. and Europe. We have United Kingdom are participating online? Our begun seeing shortages of vaccines states. Portugal and Spain maintain newsletter is available and this is a signal that something is observer status, and Puerto Rico is an in a PDF format at very wrong. associate member. www.sabin.org. dedicated to disease prevention www.sabin.org 13 Sixth International Symposium on Rotavirus Convened Sabin Vaccine Institute, with WHO, PAHO, CDC and NIH Convenes Rotavirus Meeting in Mexico City With vaccines against the killer dis- How can rotavirus vaccines be made zations, including the World Health Or- ease of rotavirus almost in hand, gov- available to the world’s poorest nations? ganization, the Global Alliance for Vac- ernment representatives, scientists, pub- How safe and effective will the next cines and Immunization, and the Rotavi- lic health professionals and vaccine in- generation of rotavirus vaccines be? rus Vaccine Program. dustry representatives met in Mexico Experts present at the conference in- The Minister of Health of Mexico City to review progress toward safe, cluded the discoverer of the virus, Ruth addressed the question “What Is Rotavi- effective rotavirus vaccines and address Bishop, and rotavirus vaccine inventor rus and Why Do We Need Vaccines?” the question of how to make sure they Albert Kapikian. Ciro de Quadros, Sabin Reports will be made on the results of get to the world’s poorest children. New Vaccine Institute director of Interna- new rotavirus vaccine studies and mov- data on the extent and burden of the dis- tional Programs, welcomed the partici- ing toward implementation of these prod- ease in developing countries, and insights pants during the opening of the meet- ucts. The audience were be policy mak- into its biology and pathology were also ing. SVI, together with the Pan Ameri- ers, national public health and financial reported at the Sixth International Sym- can Health Organization, the World authorities, national immunization pro- posium on Rotavirus, from July 7-9. Health Organization, the Centers for gram managers, pediatric and infectious Rotavirus can cause severe diarrhea Disease Control and the National Insti- disease societies, scientists, researchers, and vomiting, resulting in dehydration that tutes of Health convened the meeting. bilateral and multilateral development kills 500,000 children a year, 85 percent The previous symposium was held in and financial agencies, and other immu- in developing countries. Nearly every 1995, prior to the introduction of the first nization program partners. child in the world gets it by the the age rotavirus vaccine, which subsequently Mexico City was chosen as the venue of five. Countries in Latin America are was withdrawn. because Latin America is the first re- likely to be the first to introduce a ro- Attending were leading scientists and gion of the developing world to partici- tavirus vaccine into routine childhood health ministers from throughout Cen- pate in the testing of the next generation immunization. tral and South America; vaccine indus- of rotavirus vaccines. It will likely be the The Symposium tackled pressing sci- try representatives involved in rotavirus first region to introduce rotavirus vac- entific, social, and economic issues con- vaccines development; and experts from cines into the routine program of child- fronting rotavirus prevention, such as: leading public health and donor organi- hood immunization. Advisory Groups Evaluate Progress in Polio Fight The Sabin Vaccine Institute is a new part- tinue to carry out at least two annual rounds istry of health and partner agencies in Ethio- ner in the World Health Organization’s Glo- of very high quality nationwide immuniza- pia. Remaining challenges to polio eradi- bal Polio Eradication Initiative. Ciro de tion activities to sustain its polio-free status. cation include an acute funding gap, de- Quadros, director of International Pro- In Addis Ababa, Ethiopia they noted that clining surveillance quality, difficult terrain, grams, serves on the Technical Advisory the last wild poliovirus case there was in poor infrastructure and increasing risk of Groups (TAG) on Polio Eradication, which January 2001 and that the polio eradication wild polio virus importations. Ethiopia con- took him to Angola, Egypt and Ethiopia in initiative remains a high priority of the min- tinues to have very large numbers of sus- May this year. ceptible children as a result of In Luanda, Angola, the expert the sub-optimal performance group noted the last wild poliovi- of routine immunization and rus in Angola was isolated more scaled down geographical than three years ago, and current polio immunization coverage indicators suggest that endemic since 2002. The advisory polio transmission is interrupted. group recommended that it is The experts remain concerned, urgent for population immu- however, that Angola is at signifi- nity in Ethiopia to be boosted cant risk for importation of polio by high quality nationwide im- virus, given the persistently low munization. routine immunization coverage and increased transmission of the Ciro de Quadros, left, and the Speaker of the Ethiopian House of virus in the African region. They the Parliament Dawit Yohannes, discussed the convening of Afri- recommended that Angola con- can parliamentarians to support immunization in Africa. 14 SUMMER 2004 SABIN VACCINE REPORT Institute of Medicine Announces Conclusive Recommendation on Safety of Vaccines MMR Vaccine and Thimerosal-Containing Vaccines Not Associated with Autism Continued from page 8 with biochemical systems in the brain, every 1,000 children. While some infor- ies consistently showed no association leading to the disorder. mation suggests that autism rates may between the MMR vaccine and autism. However, no evidence has yet been be rising, it is not clear whether the ob- The committee also reviewed five stud- found that the immune system or its ac- served increase is real or due to factors ies that reported links between thimero- tivation play a direct role in causing au- such as heightened awareness of the sal and autism and two that indicated a tism, the report notes. Autism also has disorder or the use of a broader diag- connection between the MMR vaccine never been documented as a conse- nostic definition. and the disorder. However, limitations quence of exposure to high doses of Thimerosal is an organic mercury com- in how these studies were conducted mercury. While the committee agreed pound that is still used as a preservative and how the data were analyzed led the that the studies exploring these hypotheses in some adult vaccines. It began to be committee to conclude that they did not raise interesting questions, they do not ad- removed from vaccines for children in provide evidence supporting an associa- dress the specifics of how autism could 1999, and as of mid-2000, vaccines that tion between vaccines and autism. result. Therefore, evidence for any bio- are recommended for universal use in The committee also reviewed evidence logical mechanism linking vaccines with infants and young children are available related to possible biological mechanisms autism can only be considered theoretical. in forms that have no or only trace by which immunizations might trigger Autism is not a single condition, but amounts of thimerosal. autism. For example, it has been hypoth- rather a complex set of severe develop- This study is the eighth and final in a esized that the measles virus in the mental disorders — also referred to as series on vaccine safety sponsored by MMR vaccine might lodge in the intes- autistic spectrum disorders — charac- the Centers for Disease Control and tines and trigger the release of toxins terized by sustained impairments in so- Prevention and the National Institute of that lead to autism. Another hypothesis cial interaction and communication abili- Allergy and Infectious Diseases. The suggests that the MMR vaccine might ties, as well as restricted or repetitive Institute of Medicine is a private, non- stimulate the release of immune factors patterns of behaviors and interests. It is profit institution that provides health that damage the central nervous system, unclear how many cases of autism there policy advice under a congressional resulting in autism. It also has been sug- are, but two reviews of published stud- charter granted to the National Acad- gested that thimerosal may interfere ies put the prevalence at one case for emy of Sciences.

Sabin Headquarters Relocates in New Canaan, Connecticut Same Town, New Address at 161 Cherry Street After seven years at 58 pand and grow in the coming Pine Street in New Canaan, years. Our new facilities will Connecticut, the Sabin Vac- enhance the future cine Institute’s headquarters programatic efforts of the In- moved to a new location. Not stitute.” far from the old address, the The Hookworm Vaccine headquarters now is at 161 Initiative offices of the Sabin Cherry Street, New Canaan Vaccine Institute also relo- 06840-4818. Telephone num- cated in Maryland, from bers and e-mail addresses Rockville to Bethesda. The remain the same. new address is 7500 Old Sabin Institute Chairman Georgetown Road, Suite 800, and New Canaan resident of Bethesda, Maryland, 20814- 40 years, H.R. Shepherd says 6804. The new phone num- “Our move to a newer and ber for the Hookworm Vac- larger facility reflects the cine Initiative program office The new New Canaan SVI headquarters at 161 Cherry Street. commitment of SVI to ex- is 301-547-2961. dedicated to disease prevention www.sabin.org 15 Former CDC Immunization Program Director Joins Sabin Board of Trustees Dr. Walter Orenstein Named to Board of Vaccine Think Tank

The Board of Trustees of the Albert Institute’s mission,” said Dr. Orenstein. B. Sabin Vaccine Institute announced “The Institute has a unique role to play the election of their newest board mem- in advocating for research and educa- ber, Walter Orenstein, MD. Recently tion about vaccines and the vital benefit recruited as Professor of Medicine and for public health that immunization of- Pediatrics at Emory University School fers. I have made this an ongoing goal of Medicine, Dr. Orenstein’s posts at in my life’s work and it will be satisfying Emory will include director of the Pro- to contribute to the Institute as a mem- gram for Vaccine Policy and Develop- ber of its board.” ment and associate director of the Vac- Dr. Orenstein has served as an cine Center. Dr. Orenstein is former di- Assistant Surgeon General of the U.S. rector of the Centers for Disease Con- Public Health Service, and he currently trol and Prevention’s National Immuni- serves as chairman of the World Health zation Program (NIP). Organization’s Technical Consultative At the National Immunization Pro- Group on the Global Eradication of Po- gram, Dr. Orenstein is credited with at- liomyelitis, and as a member of the In- Walter Orenstein, MD taining the highest immunization levels ternational Editorial Board for the jour- ever in U.S. children; eliminating indig- nal, Vaccine. He has been the CDC li- Dr. Orenstein’s many honors and enous transmission of measles; introduc- aison member to the National Vaccine awards include the Commendation tion of hepatitis B, Hib, rotavirus, vari- Advisory Committee (NVAC) from Medal and the Meritorious Service cella, and pneumococcal conjugate vac- 1988 to 2004 and is a past member and Medal from the U.S. Public Health Ser- cines; and involving the CDC in the glo- rapporteur of the PAHO’s Technical vice; the Surgeon General’s Exemplary bal polio eradication initiative. “Walter Advisory Group on Vaccines and Immu- Service Medal; the Excellence in Public Orenstein is recognized nationally and nization. He served as an adjunct pro- Health Award of the Association of internationally for successful efforts to fessor at Emory University’s Rollins State and Territorial Health Officials, the improve immunization rates and intro- School of Public Health from 1992 until Distinguished Service Award from the duce new life-saving vaccines to the 2004. He is a fellow of the American Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society; public,” said H.R. Shepherd, chairman Academy of Pediatrics, the Infectious and in 2003, the Excellence in Public of the Sabin Vaccine Institute board. Diseases Society of America, and the Service Award of the American Acad- “We are proud to welcome him to the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society. emy of Pediatrics. board and to an affiliation with the Sabin Vaccine Institute following our associa- Sabin Institute in the News tion through the years on the shared Recent News Reports Feature Sabin Activities concern for disease prevention through The Sabin Vaccine Institute is recognized try. The story followed recent progress in the vaccines.” as a source for reliable information about Sabin Institute and Bill and Melinda Gates Dr. Orenstein has served in leader- vaccines, and vaccine research and policy. Foundation-supported Human Hookworm ship roles within the CDC’s immuniza- Recent news coverage has provided an ex- Vaccine Initiative. tion program since 1982, and since 1993 tended reach for our communications efforts. Peter Hotez, MD, PhD was profiled in has been Director of the National Im- The Stamford Advocate’s Richard Lee in- BioTechniques I by reporter Lynne munization Program. He has served as terviewed new SVI President Dean Mason for Lederman, in volume 36, no. 6, 2004. a consultant to the World Health Orga- a May 12 article titled “Hookworm Vaccine The New Canaan Advertiser and The New nization and to the Pan American Health on the Horizon.” The article reviewed a num- Canaan News-Review closely covered recent Organization (PAHO) for programs in ber of events taking place at SVI and explored events at the Institute, with articles on the Can- polio eradication, measles control, and the Institute’s signature research project, the cer Vaccine Consortium, the annual gala, and smallpox eradication in India, Brazil, Human Hookworm Vaccine Initiative. the appointment of Dr. Walter Orenstein to Argentina, and Peru. An article written by William Hathaway of the Board of Trustees. “I am pleased to have the opportunity The Hartford Courant titled “Untwisting the In addition, the international press, includ- to engage in the programs of the Sabin Puzzle of Hookworms” was printed in that ing such papers as Barcelona’s Diario Vaccine Institute as a member of its newspaper on June 10 and subsequently car- Medico, covered the Institute’s representation board and look forward to advancing the ried in other newspapers around the coun- at International meetings. 16 SUMMER 2004 SABIN VACCINE REPORT

VIEW SABIN POINT CALENDAR July 7 - 9 Mexico City, Mexico Oct. 5 - 6 Washington, DC Fifty Years of 6th International Rotavirus Symposium National Vaccine Advisory Committee Polio Prevention www.internationalrotavirus.com www.hhs.gov/nvpo/nvac.html July 11 - 16 Bangkok, Thailand Oct. 11 - 13 Lyon, France Continued from page 2 XV International AIDS Conference World Vaccine Congress Lyon 2004 almost all of the cases occur in just six states www.aids2004.org www.lifescienceworld.com/2004/ or provinces of these nations. wvcl_FR July 18 - 23 Montreal, Quebec, Canada The Global Polio Eradication Initiative, 12th International Congress of spearheaded by national governments, the Oct. 18 - 20 Atlanta, Georgia Immunology and 4th Annual Conference 5th Immunization Registry Conference WHO, Rotary International, the CDC, and of FOCIS (Federation of Clinical www.cdc.gov/nip/registry/irc UNICEF, has the ambition to interrupt Immunology Societies) transmission by wild poliovirus by the end of www.immuno2004.org Oct. 21 - 23 Princeton, New Jersey this year. The 10th Conference on Cancer Aug. 30 - Sept. 1 Lausanne, Switzerland Therapy with Antibodies & Tremendous progress has been made in AIDS Vaccine 2004 Immunoconjugates the global fight against polio since 1988, when www.aidsvaccine04.org www.imedex.com/announcements/ the World Health Assembly resolved to goldenberg04.html eradicate the disease. From 1988 to today, Sept. 10 - 11Rotorua, New Zealand New Zealand Immunisation Conference the number of worldwide polio cases has Oct. 24 – 26 Cold Spring Harbor, NY 2004 11th Annual Sabin Vaccine Colloquium decreased from 350,000 to just a few www.imac.auckland.ac.nz E-mail: [email protected] hundred. www.sabin.org/ The WHO and its Director of the Eradication Sept. 15 - 17 Prague, Czech Republic programs_cold_spring.htm Initiative, Dr. David Heymann, have argued MVAF 2004 - Modern Vaccine/Adjuvant Formulation persuasively that we have “a historic, one- Nov. 2 - 5 Cambridge, Massachusetts www.meetingsmanagement.com/ Phacilitate Vaccine Forum Fall 2004 time only opportunity” to stop polio mvaf_2004 www.phacilitate.co.uk/pages/ transmission forever. fall_vac2004 Provided we act immediately, no parent Sept. 20 - 22 Norfolk, Virginia has to witness their child suffering from 6th National Conference on Nov. 4 - 7 San Francisco, California Immunization Coalitions polio’s crippling effects. Practically speaking International Society for Biological www.cme.hsc.usf.edu/coph/immcoal this means that every child under five who Therapy of Cancer 19th Annual Meeting www.isbtc.org lives in the world’s remaining polio-endemic Sept. 28 - Oct. 1 St. Paul, Minnesota regions must receive the Sabin vaccine. ASTHO 2004 Annual Meeting Nov. 7 - 8 San Francisco, California Through the same type of global www.astho.org Cancer Vaccine Consortium Meeting cooperation and “vaccine diplomacy” that www.sabin.org/cv_consortium.htm resulted in the taming of measles and the development of the polio vaccine, we are on the verge of an equally extraordinary global NON-PROFIT ORG. health goal. U.S. POSTAGE That would be an extraordinarily fitting way PAID to wrap up fifty of the most exciting years of MONTROSE, PA human achievement, which brought science PERMIT NO. 2 and politics together for a common and noble 161 Cherry Street RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED purpose. New Canaan, CT 06840-4818 U.S.A. Dr. Peter Hotez, MD, PhD is the Chair of the SVI Scientific Advisory Council, and Chair of Microbiology and Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University. H.R. Shep- herd, DSc, is Chairman of the Board of the Sabin Vaccine Institute.