On June 19th, Bio-Manguinhos' senior scientific advisor, Akira Homma, participated in the 4th edition of the Brasil Imune Forum. Held at the headquarters of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), in Brasília, the Forum was attended by representatives from PAHO itself, the National Cancer Institute (INCA), the Brazilian Society of Immunization (SBIm) and the Ministry of Health, in addition to Akira Homma and other important leaders in the health and immunization segment.

Akira was one of the debaters on the panel on advances in immunization targeting Brazil in 5 and 10 years, together with Lely Guzman, from the Pan American Health Organization in Brazil, Renato Alencar, president of Interfarma, Itamar Bento, from the National Institute of Cancer (INCA), and Luana Araújo, infectious disease doctor, master in public health from Johns Hopkins University, in the USA.

Among the topics covered, the impacts of the accelerated advancement of immunobiological technology were discussed, with new combined vaccines, alternative forms of administration, new vaccines against cancer, and the importance of the participation of the entire Brazilian society in the search for high vaccination coverage. He was also highlighted the fundamental role of national production and strategies for expanding capillarity and access to vaccines for building a healthier country.

“I believe that between 5 and 10 years we will see many impacts with the accelerated advancement of technology in immunobiologicals, with the emergence of new combined vaccines, alternative forms of administration and new vaccines against cancer. It is important, however, to strengthen national production to avoid shortages and guarantee access to these vaccines and the participation of the entire Brazilian society in the search for high vaccination coverage”, defended Homma.

The Brasil Immune Forum was created in 2021 by the Instituto Lado a Lado pela Vida, a Civil Society Organization that is also responsible for other national campaigns aimed at disseminating public health information, such as the Blue November movement. Since its creation, it has sought to bring together the main leaders in the immunization segment to discuss paths and strategies that improve vaccination coverage in the country.

Text: Thais Christ
Image: Side by Side Institute Collection