> For instance, how long has the Gates Foundation been involved with vaccines and pharmaceuticals and does it look like solutions are in within striking distance for the underlying issues?

The Gates Foundation joined the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in 2000, and has become the primary financial supporter of that body. The Gates Foundation has provided a total of $3.7B to the polio eradication cause.

Polio case numbers are down 90% since 2000.

Sources:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/devinthorpe/2019/05/31/why-bill...

https://www.gatesfoundation.org/what-we-do/global-developmen...