GENEVA, June 7 (Xinhuanet) -- More than 150 top scientists, researchers and public health experts from around the world met Monday in Montreux, Switzerland, to present their research findings on vaccines for SARS, pandemic flu and other lethal infectious diseases.

    At the Global Vaccine Research Forum, which runs through Thursday, research on vaccines for SARS is an important topic. Scientists will discuss the needs for a public health response in case of a resurgence, the status of development of vaccines in China, the United States and Europe, and the extent to which such vaccines could boost the response of the immune system.

    As to influenza, the discussed issues will be the modeling of apotential pandemic, the H5N1 bird flu outbreak this year and international response, the development of several vaccines and the industry perspective.

    Besides vaccine research on measles, rubella and meningitis, the meeting will also focus on vaccine manufacturing in developing countries, and the state of progress towards vaccines against HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, a press release said here.

    Scientists are striving to tackle infectious diseases by developing new vaccines and improving technologies and tools, the release said.

    New manufacturers of vaccine are playing an ever increasing role in the production of sufficient vaccines to immunize the world's children.

    This week's forum is sponsored by the World Health Organization's Initiative for Vaccine Research and the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization.

    The WHO Initiative's mission is to guide, provide vision, enable, support and facilitate the development, clinical evaluation and worldwide access to safe, effective and affordable vaccines against infectious diseases of public health importance, especially in developing countries, said the press release.

    The WHO strategy for the research and development of new vaccines will also be presented at the Forum. Enditem