The first conference will focus on production. How can the public and private sectors assure a stable and adequate supply of existing vaccines and continue producing new ones? Can regulatory policies strike a balance between encouraging innovation and promoting safety? What ethical standards should govern vaccine research trials in poor countries with high disease rates, and should they be applied uniformly in industrialized nations? And how should production costs be shared among governments, third-party payers, and individuals?

The second conference, which will take place in Tokyo, will examine the issue of delivery. Once vaccines are developed, tested, and approved for use, how can they be administered effectively and efficiently to the largest number of people? How should governments evaluate the vaccines’ effectiveness, and how can the public be properly educated about the benefits, side effects, and risks of vaccination? When is mandatory vaccination advisable, and when and for whom should it be absolutely required?