Highlights from Remarks by Calvin B. Johnson, M.D., M.P.H.,
Pennsylvania Secretary of Health
Inauguration of the Wistar Institute Vaccine Center
May 31, 2007

“One hundred years ago, the average life span was 50 years or less…And why was the average life span 50 years or less? Largely because of infectious disease.”

“We have prolonged life and enhanced the quality of life…through the incredible discoveries we have made through the vaccines, through the research, through the increased treatments.”

“As I congratulate you today, I also charge you with that incredible responsibility [of] not only producing a safe and effective product scientifically, but also using your expertise, using your knowledge, using your ingenuity to help to make those products available for all those who do in fact need them, so that we can continue the incredible life-saving advancements that we’ve made over the past century or more.”