Burden of Proof: The Hib Vaccine in Bangladesh

This case is focused on the decision whether to fund a comprehensive Hib vaccination program in Bangladesh in 2007. Hib is a bacterium that affects infants and young children and can cause serious health complications, including pneumonia and meningitis. Members of the international health community, such as the GAVI Alliance, promoted Hib vaccines in much of the developing world in the 2000s. The Government of Bangladesh chose to introduce the combined pentavalent vaccine in January 2009.

The case is focused on getting students to understand how to (1) integrate academic research in public policy decisions; (2) perform a cost-benefit analysis of a nationwide healthcare rollout; and (3) weigh the pros and cons of partnering with an international organization that provides funding, but has its own goals.