The 14th Annual World Vaccine Congress was held in Washington DC, March 24-26, 2014 (http://www.terrapinn.com/vaccine2014). More than 400 experts from different regions participated in this scientific event for vaccine professionals from industry, academia, non-profit organizations and government to discuss challenges and successes from all the major vaccine stakeholders. In more than 70 presentations, round tables, and plenary discussions major topics like emerging and re-emerging infectious disease, vaccine production, and innovative technologies were debated. While most contributions focused on specific questions in vaccine research development, some like the one by a representative of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) reported about supply chain, logistics topics, and challenges in vaccine implementation.
Keywords: cold chain; controlled temperature chain (CTC); freeze protection; supply chain; system re-design; thermostability; vaccines.