Sabin Vaccine Institute executive vice president Ciro de Quadros, M.D., M.P.H., was awarded the BBVA Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Development Cooperation. Dr. de Quadros was honored for “leading the efforts to eliminate polio and measles from the western hemisphere and being one of the most important scientists in the eradication of smallpox around the world. These accomplishments, particularly the eradication of one of the most deadly enemies of mankind, represent one of the prime achievements of medicine.” The BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Awards “recognize the role of science and cultural creation as levers of society’s progress and wellbeing. Their eight categories span the main scientific, technological, social and economic areas and challenges of our times.”
The prize jury noted that “De Quadros, furthermore, has championed a new supply model whereby a number of countries establish joint purchasing centers in order to acquire vaccines more cheaply…His programs have shown that introducing existing vaccines can be done in an economically sustainable way that promotes country ownership, particularly in low and middle income countries. This has facilitated an unprecedented effort against vaccine preventable diseases such as rubella, pertussis, rotavirus, pneumococcus and human papilloma virus, especially in high disease burden areas and underprivileged communities in Asia, Africa and the Americas.”
Dr. De Quadros commented, “I have no doubt that the 21st century will be known as the century of vaccines. Today we have a number of vaccines against chronic or degenerative diseases, and many more are being developed. We already have vaccines that help prevent liver and cervical cancer. Vaccines research is also underway to prevent diseases of extreme poverty. A century of vaccines could be extraordinary as long as we ensure that available vaccines reach everyone in the world who needs them.”
vaccines and global health :: ethics and policy 