An optimal mechanism to fund the development of vaccines against emerging epidemics.

We derive the optimal funding mechanism to incentivize development and production of vaccines against diseases with epidemic potential. In the model, suppliers' costs are private information and investments are noncontractible, precluding cost-reimbursement contracts, requiring fixed-price contracts conditioned on delivery of a successful product. The high failure risk for individual vaccines calls for incentivizing multiple entrants, accomplished by the optimal mechanism, a (w+1)-price reverse Vickrey auction with reserve, where w is the number of selected entrants.

Last mile research: a conceptual map.

: The term 'last mile' has been used across disciplines to refer to populations who are farthest away, most difficult to reach, or last to benefit from a program or service. However, last mile research lacks a shared understanding around its conceptualization.: This project used a concept mapping process to answer the questions: what is last mile research in global health and, how can it be used to make positive change for health equity in the last mile?: Between July and December 2019, a five-stage concept mapping exercise was undertaken using online concept mapping software and an in-person consensus meeting.

Designing Pull Funding For A COVID-19 Vaccine.

A widely accessible vaccine is essential to mitigate the health and economic ravages of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Without appropriate incentives and coordination, however, firms might not respond at sufficient speed or scale, and competition among countries for limited supply could drive up prices and undercut efficient allocation. Programs relying on "push" incentives (direct cost reimbursement) can be complicated by the funder's inability to observe firms' private cost information.

Preparing for the next Zika.

Lessons from the US Biodefense program should inform international efforts to build a medical countermeasure enterprise for emerging infectious diseases.

Vaccine innovation: lessons from World War II.

World War II marked a watershed in the history of vaccine development as the military, in collaboration with academia and industry, achieved unprecedented levels of innovation in response to war-enhanced disease threats such as influenza and pneumococcal pneumonia. In the 1940s alone, wartime programs contributed to the development of new or significantly improved vaccines for 10 of the 28 vaccine-preventable diseases identified in the 20th century. This article examines the historical significance of military organizations and national security concerns for vaccine development in the United States.