The vaccine alliance GAVI, the Gates Foundation and Alwaleed Philanthropies and UNILEVER: http://www.gavi.org/library/news/statements/2015/alwaleed-philanthropies-to-support-childhood-immunisation-with-usd-1-million-pledge/

http://www.gavi.org/library/news/press-releases/2017/gavi-and-unilever-s-lifebuoy-join-forces-to-tackle-preventable-diseases-and-save-children-s-lives/

Demanding Accountability from GAVI and WHO

This week, the Indian Journal of Medical Research published an article entitled: "Incomplete reporting of research in press releases: Et tu, WHO" (2). The article relates to a press release issued by WHO jointly with GAVI, USAID, and Johns Hopkins among others (3,4), after the Bangladesh case-control study on effectiveness of Hib vaccination (5). The press release suggested that the vaccine is useful, whereas the study itself showed no benefit. No statistical difference was seen in the vaccination status of those with pneumonia or meningitis compared to controls. A post-hoc analysis presented without proper multiple testing was used to bolster the erroneous claim. Contrary to the subtle suggestion in the press release, analysis of data from an earlier Indonesian probe study also found no benefit (6).

This misleading press release is seen as the smoking gun.