Kathmandu, Nov. 9 -- Until 2005, Nepal had to rely on evidence from studies on childhood illnesses carried out in foreign countries. However, with the generation of homegrown data from 2005 through collaboration between Patan Hospital and the Oxford Vaccine Group, the country not only introduced new vaccines in its routine childhood vaccine list and saved hundreds of lives, but also helped reshape the global vaccine policy.

And it has already been 20 years of collaboration. Over these years, the partnership between the hospital and the group has shaped the recommendations of the World Health Organisation-Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (WHO-SAGE) on Immunisation regarding vaccine schedule flexibility and typhoid vaccine rollout. More...