(London)  --  The United Nations Children's Fund says vital infant vaccines are dropping dramatically in price, allowing developing countries around the world to take advantage of the positive effects of inoculation.

   Officials say prices have been forced down by a coordinated buying policy that opened up many more markets worldwide.

   Average prices for the shots, which inoculate little ones against five infant diseases, are projected to drop 22 percent by 2012.

   The pentavalent vaccine protects against flu type b, diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus and hepatitis B.

   UNICEF says 256-million children have received vaccines through its programs.



   (Copyright 2009 by VERTEXNews/Newsroom Solutions)