STAT: Is there a future for a Zika vaccine?
Seth Berkley, CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance

“…We currently have more questions than answers about Zika. … It’s still too early to tell, but the uncertainty about Zika makes the development of a vaccine decidedly riskier for manufacturers. Because of this, it is essential that we try to remove some of the uncertainty by continuing research in the epidemiology of the virus. We must also draw up strategies that cover all the bases, including a plan of action for a possible market failure for a Zika vaccine. If it does come to that, one option would be to call upon the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness and Innovation to provide incentives to stimulate vaccine development, while Gavi looks at ways to work with manufacturers to assure access to the vaccine for developing countries. Regardless of how many vaccines are in development, until we figure this out we may find that none of them will make it to the market” (9/18).