Major economic, political, and social problems may hamper efforts to evaluate potential vaccine candidates for leprosy. Research and field studies to determine which vaccines are most appropriate for specific populations will be expensive. Some areas of the developing world that possess the field and clinical expertise to participate in vaccine trials and evaluations lack the national political commitment to initiate and carry out essential background work. The most significant social question will be whether the identification of an effective vaccine for leprosy and the development of suitable delivery systems can overcome the universal stigma associated with the disease.

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Noordeen, S.K. 1984. Personal communication, World Health Organization, Geneva.

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