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Recent high-profile outbreaks of infectious diseases such as Ebola and Zika have highlighted once again the devastating impacts that known viruses can have on populations. Faced with renewed threats caused by diseases whose epidemiology is evolving, the global health community must adapt its responses through better surveillance, prevention, and treatment.

One of those diseases is yellow fever, a mosquito-borne disease that emerged hundreds of years ago and is endemic to 33 countries in Africa and 11 countries in South America. While a successful vaccine was developed in the 1930s, reported cases have been on the rise due to increased movements of populations between rural and urban areas, and changing climate conditions, which have allowed mosquito populations to spread.

Yellow fever is an acute hemorrhagic disease and its symptoms include fever and jaundice — hence its name. There is no specific drug to cure the viral infection, and treatment focuses on easing symptoms. Without early and proper care, the severe form of the disease can be fatal. According to 2015 data from the World Health Organization, 200,000 people are affected each year, and 30,000 of them die. The agency says the best way to fight yellow fever is to prevent infection through vaccination, vector control, and epidemic preparedness.

“It is actually a pretty horrific disease. It doesn't actually have good therapeutic options at this stage, and so vaccination is really the key tool to address yellow fever disease,” said Aurélia Nguyen, managing director for vaccines and sustainability at Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

The yellow fever vaccine is highly efficient. Within 30 days, a one-time shot — WHO removed a requirement for a booster injection in 2013 — provides lifelong immunity to over 99% of people vaccinated. There are currently six vaccine manufacturers, four of which are pre-qualified by WHO and distribute the vaccine internationally.

At less than $2 per dose, it’s also highly affordable — it can be cheaper than a cup of coffee in some parts of the world. Gavi-eligible countries can receive the equivalent of up to $0.65 per dose from Gavi for preventive campaigns, an amount that’s thought to cover about 80% of the total cost of immunization.

But the spread of disease is leading to shortages both in endemic countries and in those where travelers require predeparture immunization, highlighting the need for stakeholders to innovate on vaccine production and distribution.

“There’s a very interdependent ecosystem of public health, clinical care, and regulators that work together to ensure the safety and effectiveness of products,” said Kent Kester, vice president and head of translational science and biomarkers at Sanofi Pasteur, adding that it’s critical to innovate on the existing vaccine. “The maintenance of that ecosystem plays a key role in safeguarding either a new yellow fever vaccine or other vaccines in general.”

Recent high-profile outbreaks of infectious diseases such as Ebola and Zika have highlighted once again the devastating impacts that known viruses can have on populations. Faced with renewed threats caused by diseases whose epidemiology is evolving, the global health community must adapt its responses through better surveillance, prevention, and treatment.

One of those diseases is yellow fever, a mosquito-borne disease that emerged hundreds of years ago and is endemic to 33 countries in Africa and 11 countries in South America. While a successful vaccine was developed in the 1930s, reported cases have been on the rise due to increased movements of populations between rural and urban areas, and changing climate conditions, which have allowed mosquito populations to spread.

Yellow fever is an acute hemorrhagic disease and its symptoms include fever and jaundice — hence its name. There is no specific drug to cure the viral infection, and treatment focuses on easing symptoms. Without early and proper care, the severe form of the disease can be fatal. According to 2015 data from the World Health Organization, 200,000 people are affected each year, and 30,000 of them die. The agency says the best way to fight yellow fever is to prevent infection through vaccination, vector control, and epidemic preparedness.

“It is actually a pretty horrific disease. It doesn't actually have good therapeutic options at this stage, and so vaccination is really the key tool to address yellow fever disease,” said Aurélia Nguyen, managing director for vaccines and sustainability at Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

The yellow fever vaccine is highly efficient. Within 30 days, a one-time shot — WHO removed a requirement for a booster injection in 2013 — provides lifelong immunity to over 99% of people vaccinated. There are currently six vaccine manufacturers, four of which are pre-qualified by WHO and distribute the vaccine internationally.

At less than $2 per dose, it’s also highly affordable — it can be cheaper than a cup of coffee in some parts of the world. Gavi-eligible countries can receive the equivalent of up to $0.65 per dose from Gavi for preventive campaigns, an amount that’s thought to cover about 80% of the total cost of immunization.

But the spread of disease is leading to shortages both in endemic countries and in those where travelers require predeparture immunization, highlighting the need for stakeholders to innovate on vaccine production and distribution.

“There’s a very interdependent ecosystem of public health, clinical care, and regulators that work together to ensure the safety and effectiveness of products,” said Kent Kester, vice president and head of translational science and biomarkers at Sanofi Pasteur, adding that it’s critical to innovate on the existing vaccine. “The maintenance of that ecosystem plays a key role in safeguarding either a new yellow fever vaccine or other vaccines in general.”