March 24, 2009

USA Today

By Steve Sternberg, USA TODAY

Even as a child, Peter Hotez held a grown-up's fascination for the tiny creatures living in the creek near his house.

Inspired by Paul de Kruif's Microbe Hunters, a popular book on disease detectives, Hotez persuaded his parents to buy him a microscope. He spent hours watching little animals wriggle in a glowing circle of light, and, at an age when most kids were reading The Hardy Boys, he read about parasites. His two brothers were baffled by his obsession.

January 30, 2009

Welcome to the new website of the Sabin Vaccine Institute. Since its founding in 1993 our organization has been committed to reducing the suffering caused by preventable infectious and tropical diseases, and honoring the legacy of Dr. Albert B. Sabin, the discoverer of the oral polio vaccine as well as several other life-saving interventions.

Dr. Sabin once stated that “a scientist who is also a human being cannot rest while knowledge which might reduce suffering rests on the shelf.”

July 16, 2008

Neglected Diseases of Poverty, More Than Just a Developing Nation Problem

Immunization programs save hundreds of thousands of lives in the developing world, and the introduction of new vaccines will save millions more. As new, more expensive vaccines enter the global market, however, many developing countries are struggling to finance their immunization programs. To address this growing challenge, the Sabin Vaccine Institute has launched its latest initiative: the Advocacy Project for Sustainable Immunization Financing.

Tommy Thompson – A New Global Ambassador

Similar to the Neglected Tropical Diseases (or NTDs) that plague developing nations, neglected infections of poverty exist in the United States and are impairing the physical, emotional and mental development of African American and Hispanic children nationwide. In the June 2008 edition of Public Library of Science’ Neglected Tropical Diseases journal, Dr.

Schistosomiasis (Bilharzia) is the second most lethal parasitic worm disease, infecting approximately 207 million people and causing 280,000 deaths annually worldwide. Thanks to generous donations from Mort and Chris Hyman and Mr. Len Blavatnik, trustee at the Blavatnik Charitable Foundation, the Schistosomiasis Vaccine Program is becoming a reality.

Washington (June 23, 2008) – An analysis published today by the Public Library of Science (PLoS) Neglected Tropical Diseases reveals a disturbing trend that diseases similar to the neglec

Global health experts unite to combat the world’s leading infectious killer!

Pneumococcal diseases rank at the top among terminal illnesses causing death in children and adults worldwide. These diseases, including pneumonia, meningitis, sepsis and other life-threatening diseases, result in the death of some 1.6 million people every year worldwide, half of whom are children under the age of five. Convening in Istanbul to ensure that pneumococcal vaccine is covered by public health insurance, experts called for global action.