Success from the South: the rotavirus vaccine story and its lessons

Rotavirus is the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis in children under the age of five worldwide. It has a high mortality rate, especially in middle- and low-income countries. In 2016, India became the first Asian country to locally develop and nationally introduce rotavirus vaccines.  

In this lecture, Professor Gagandeep (Cherry) Kang will reflect on the successes and lessons learnt from the rotavirus vaccine journey in India. Cherry will outline what could be applied to improve global health in future and will also discuss:  

• The challenge of encouraging more initiatives, such as locally produced vaccinations, in India, Indonesia, China and Brazil, and the benefits this could have. 
• Vaccine inequity and vaccine effectiveness in low and-middle-income countries.
• How developing countries can lead in driving forwards the public health agenda.

Speakers

Professor Gagandeep (Cherry) Kang is Director of Global Health at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Cherry is responsible for leading the newly formed team and executing against its three strategic focus areas: enteric & diarrheal diseases, diagnostics and genomics, epidemiology & modelling.

As well as her role at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Cherry is a Professor in the Division of Gastrointestinal Sciences at Christian Medical College (CMC) in Vellore, India. Her work explores vaccines and public health, with a focus on children and infectious disease in India. Her research has also covered areas such as water, sanitation and nutrition. Internationally, Cherry’s team is one of the most highly recognised multidisciplinary research groups in India.

Cherry has worked for the Government of India, leading and building India’s first translational health science institute. She has served on World Health Organisation and Indian vaccine committees, covering policy and scientific areas. She has been a mentor and guide for women at work and outside of work.

Cherry will be joined by a global expert panel:

• Professor Suerie Moon, Professor of Practice & Global Health Expert, Geneva Graduate Institute
• Professor Petro Terblanche, Managing Director, Afrigen Biologics

The lecure will be followed by an open Q&A session, chaired by Professor Richard Horton FRCP FMedSci, editor-in-chief of The Lancet, and Professor Tom Solomon FMedSci, Vice President (International), Academy of Medical Sciences. A networking and drinks reception will follow for in-person attendees.