Indo-US Vaccine Action Program enters 25th year

Popularly known as VAP, it has been implemented since July, 1987. A conference highlighting its accomplishments was held here yesterday.

Through mutual agreement between the United States and India, the VAP is being extended in 2012 for an additional five years with a particular focus on tuberculosis, human immunology, rota-virus and many other globally important infectious diseases, a US embassy statement said.

This includes development of vaccines for malaria, dengue and translational research in vaccinology.

The VAP aims to reduce the burden of vaccine-preventable diseases of public health significance in India, the US and other parts of the world, and to promote vaccines as one of the most cost-effective health technologies.