Devex: 5 ways to stop 200,000 child deaths
Mathuram Santosham, chair of the Rotavirus Organization of Technical Allies (ROTA) Council, director of the Johns Hopkins Center for American Indian Health, senior adviser for the International Vaccine Access Center (IVAC) at the Johns Hopkins University, and professor of international health and pediatrics at Johns Hopkins University

“…The World Health Organization has recommended that every country introduce rotavirus vaccines into national immunization programs. So far, 80 countries have introduced the vaccines, but not enough countries in Asia or Africa have taken action — the regions where burden is highest. … [T]o accelerate the introduction of lifesaving, health-improving rotavirus vaccines, the ROTA Council recommends that key stakeholders in countries where these vaccines have not yet been introduced take action in the following areas: 1. Take a comprehensive approach to diarrheal disease control. … 2. Apply for Gavi support. … 3. Develop new, low-cost vaccines. … 4. Make sure vaccine prices are fair. … 5. Address vaccine program implementation challenges…” (3/9).

Project Syndicate: Empty Promises and Dead Children
Kevin Watkins, director of the Overseas Development Institute (ODI)

“…If governments are sincere about delivering on the SDGs’ promise on child mortality, they must get serious about ensuring equity in health care. … Any strategy for achieving the 2030 target for child mortality must go beyond the health sector and focus on the wider inequalities — for example, in nutrition, education, and access to clean water and sanitation — that fuel child mortality. Girls will need added protection, so that they are not forced into early marriage and child bearing. Children worldwide face a lethal combination of inequality, injustice, and gender discrimination. They deserve better. The promise to eliminate preventable child deaths by 2030 is our chance to ensure they get it” (3/9).