Recommendations regarding the development of combined enterotoxigenic Eschericha coli and Shigella vaccines for infants

PATH hosted a workshop on October 14 and 15, 2013 in Washington, DC to solicit expert opinions on the potential merits and challenges of developing combined enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) and Shigella vaccine products to benefit children in developing countries. This article summarizes the key issues raised during the workshop and provides an analysis of the recommendations regarding the strategic, clinical and regulatory, and manufacturing considerations for the development of a combined enteric vaccine, which aim to guide future vaccine development efforts and donor investment strategies in this area. Notwithstanding the potential technical, legal, financial, and other constraints that would be faced in developing a combined ETEC/Shigella vaccine, it is clear that this is the preferred approach over standalone products. There are many advantages to a combined vaccine, such as the potential cost-effectiveness and easier logistics of introducing a combined vaccine instead of two standalone vaccines in low-resource, endemic countries.