Words by GOLD newsdesk
GSK has brought together leading experts in vaccines and sustainability for its annual ‘Palio’ meeting, aiming to address the growing threat to human health from infectious disease and its links to nature loss and climate change.
This year’s theme ‘Vaccines for a sustainable planet’ was central to the discussions on topics such as vaccines mitigating the effects of environmental change, prioritising pathogens for AMR vaccine development, the role of vaccines in protecting microbial diversity and how to ensure equitable access to vaccines in the future.
The threat of infectious disease is growing as data show environmental changes are exacerbating respiratory health issues, increasing the spread of diseases such as malaria, and fostering antimicrobial resistance.
The 65 experts across immunology, vaccinology, epidemiology included Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Muhammad Ali Pate, Global Director of Health, Population and Nutrition, World Bank, and Rino Rappuoli, Head External R&D and Chief Vaccine Scientist, GSK, and initiator of the Palio meeting series.
Speaking ahead of the event, Mr Rappuoli said: “With global health issues becoming increasingly severe as the pace of environmental change accelerates, disease prevention is becoming ever more important. Vaccines have a key role in responding to these threats. Palio is a much-needed opportunity for the scientific community to reflect on how we can maximise the impact of vaccines.”
Palio 2022 supports GSK’s purpose to get ahead of disease together and is part of GSK’s work to put health at the centre of action on climate and nature, as well as supporting vaccine access in low- and middle-income countries.
