Vaccines are one of the greatest public health success stories in history

They help protect against more than 20 potentially life-threatening diseases.

We recognise and support the many global health stakeholders, including the World Health Organization, for their efforts in raising awareness about the importance of vaccination and helping prevent infectious diseases around the world.

“Immunization is a global health and development success story…helping people of all ages live longer, healthier lives…It’s also one of the best health investments money can buy. Vaccines are also critical to the prevention and control of infectious disease outbreaks [and] underpin global health security…”

• World Health Organization, 2023

Broader vaccination coverage along with other public health measures have eradicated smallpox and significantly decreased the incidence of other vaccine-preventable diseases.

Vaccine equity is a global challenge

The COVID-19 pandemic triggered unprecedented disruptions to vaccination programs around the world, resulting in the largest sustained decline in childhood vaccination rates in approximately 30 years.  

The pandemic also revealed underlying health inequities and reminded us of the importance of preserving trust in and advancing equitable access to vaccines.

Recovering vaccination rates together

Now, more than ever, we have an opportunity to reimagine the role we all can play.

At MSD, our vaccines help prevent diseases affecting individuals around the world and across all stages of life, from infancy through older adulthood.

But, we can’t be successful alone. That’s why we are working with a variety of stakeholders to help build trust in vaccination and enable equitable global access to vaccination services for everyone who can benefit from them.

Through our work in vaccines, we are committed to helping protect people today and for generations to come.

_References:

_{World Health Organization. Vaccines and Immunization. Available at: https://www.who.int/health-topics/vaccines-and-immunization#tab=tab_1 Accessed on: 28 March 2023}

_{Greenwood, B. The contribution of vaccination to global health: past, present and future. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. 2014;369(1645):20130433}

_{World Health Organization. Smallpox. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/smallpox Accessed on: 26 March 2023}

_{World Health Organization. Smallpox Eradication Programme – SEP(1966-1980). Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/the-smallpox-eradication-programme—sep-(1966-1980) Accessed on: 23 April 2023}

_{World Health Organization. Call to action: Vaccine Equity. Available at: https://www.who.int/campaigns/vaccine-equity/vaccine-equity-declaration Accessed on: 28 March 2023}

_{UNDP Global Dashboard for Vaccine Equity Available at: https://data.undp.org/vaccine-equity/ Accessed on: 28 March 2023}

_{Abrams EM & Szefler SJ. COVID-19 and the impact of social determinants of health. Lancet Respir Med. 2020(8):659-661.}

^{Paremoer L et al. Covid-19 pandemic and the social determinants of health. BMJ. 2021;28:372:n129.}

_{World Health Organization. COVID-19 pandemic fuels largest continued backslide in vaccinations in three decades. Available at: https://www.who.int/news/item/15-07-2022-covid-19-pandemic-fuels-largest-continued-backslide-in-vaccinations-in-three-decades Accessed on: 22 September 2022}

_{Perry BL, Aronson B & Pescosolido BA. Pandemic precarity: COVID-19 is exposing and exacerbating inequalities in the American heartland. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2021;118(8):e2020685118.}

_{World Health Organization. 2022. Immunization Coverage. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/immunization-coverage Accessed on: 21 September 2022}

_{Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Routine Vaccination Coverage – World wide, 2021. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/wr/mm7144a2.htm Accessed on: 20 March 2023}

_{Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Overview, History, and How the Safety Process Works. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/ensuringsafety/history/index.html Accessed on: 13 April 2021}

^{Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule United States 2023. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/adult.html Accessed on: 27 February 2023}

^{Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization United States Schedule 2023. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/child-adolescent.html Accessed on: 15 February 2023}

_{NZ-NON-00403 TAPS: NP20725 Last Updated on March 2024}

In 2020, it was estimated that more than 2 million people were diagnosed with lung cancer, changing their lives and setting them on a path that they likely didn’t anticipate and that no one wants to travel. MSD is fighting for these patients and their families by advancing research and fostering greater awareness and understanding of the disease.

Here are five facts about lung cancer that we think everyone needs to know.

View infographic

What is melanoma?

Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer. Characterised by the uncontrolled growth of pigment-producing cells, melanoma accounts for approximately 2% of new cancer cases worldwide.

Melanomas can occur anywhere on the skin, including areas without sun exposure, but they are more likely to start in certain locations.

The average age of diagnosis is 65, but melanoma is not uncommon among people younger than 30. In fact, it’s one of the most common cancers in young adults — especially young women.

Rates have been rising for 30 years

Signs and symptoms

A new spot on the skin or one that changes in size, shape or color, or one that looks different — is an important warning sign of melanoma and should be checked by a doctor. The ABCDE rule outlines the characteristics of moles that may be melanomas and is helpful guidance for monitoring skin changes:

E is for Evolving

The mole is changing in size, shape, or color.

Any of these warning signs should be discussed with a doctor, especially if you feel you are at risk for melanoma.

Risk factors

• Ultraviolet (UV) light exposure
• Moles
• Fair skin, freckles and light hair
• Family history
• Personal history of having melanoma or other skin cancers
• Having a weakened immune system
• Being older
• Being male
• Xeroderma pigmentosum (a rare skin condition that affects the skin’s ability to repair DNA damage)

Ways to lower risk

Melanoma can’t be entirely prevented, but there are ways to lower risk. The number one way to lower risk is to protect against UV rays, which damage the DNA of skin cells and impact the genes that control skin cell growth. The top source of UV rays is the sun. That’s why it’s important to practice sun safety every time you go outside, even on cloudy days when UV rays can still shine through. Here are a few ways to protect yourself:

_{References:
Summa Health: Skin Cancer 2020 Available at: https://www.summahealth.org/medicalservices/cancer/cancer-care/skin-cancer Accessed on 17/03/2021
American Cancer Society: What is melanoma skin cancer? Available at: https://www.cancer.org Accessed on 17/03/2021
International Agency for Research on Cancer: Melanoma of skin Fact Sheet. Global Cancer Observatory. Available at: https://gco.iarc.fr/today/data/factsheets/cancers/16-Melanoma-of-skin-fact-sheet.pdf Accessed on 8/03/2021
American Cancer Society: Key statistics for melanoma skin cancer. Available at: https://www.cancer.org Accessed on 17/03/21
American Cancer Society: Risk factors for melanoma skin cancer. Available at: https://www.cancer.org Accessed on 17/03/21
American Cancer Society: Signs and symptoms of melanoma skin cancer. Available at: https://www.cancer.org Accessed on 17/03/21
American Cancer Society: Can melanoma skin cancer be prevented?. Available at: https://www.cancer.org Accessed on 17/03/21
American Cancer Society: How do I protect myself from ultraviolet (UV) rays? Available at: https://www.cancer.org Accessed on 17/03/21
Cancer Society New Zealand: SunSmart https://www.cancer.org.nz Accessed on 26/10/21}

_{TAPS NA 13280 NZ-NON-00208 Last Updated October 2023}