Opportunities and challenges of conducting vaccine research in low and middle-income countries in the Asia–Pacific region: perspectives from the Asia–Pacific Vaccine Research Network

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccine technology and development advanced substantially in high-income countries, but this progress was not followed by the equitable knowledge transfer and accessibility and uptake of vaccines, particularly among low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). The Asia–Pacific Vaccine Research Network is a collaborative platform that aims to address common challenges faced by Asia–Pacific LMICs in undertaking vaccine research and barriers to evidence-based immunisation policy and practice. A network workshop was held in 2023 that aimed to identify critical challenges and opportunities to advance vaccine research to inform immunisation policy in LMICs in the Asia–Pac..