HPV vaccine in Argentina: a leap forward for girls’ and women’s health
Argentina is one of the first countries in the Region of the Americas to provide the WHO-recommended human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to girls to prevent cervical cancer later in life. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), WHO’s Regional Office for the Americas, runs a Revolving Fund for the procurement of vaccines, syringes and related supplies for participating Member States. It ensures that immunization programmes have a continuous supply of high-quality products for a low price. Argentina acquires the HPV vaccines through the PAHO Revolving Fund.
Increased risk of disease epidemics in Syria and neighbouring countries
Over the past two years, Syria’s health system has been severely disrupted. New cases of measles have reappeared due to a drop in national vaccination coverage. In the first quarter of 2013, the number of laboratory-confirmed measles cases in Syria reached 139, compared to zero cases in 2010 and 2011. National campaigns to vaccinate children have been hindered due to accessibility and security issues, resulting in high numbers of unvaccinated children in inaccessible areas. With thousands of Syrians crossing the borders each day, measles cases have been reported among displaced Syrians in Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Turkey.
World Health Assembly supports Monitoring, Evaluation and Accountability Framework
A year after the World Health Assembly endorsed the Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP), Member States expressed support for the proposed Monitoring, Evaluation and Accountability Framework and the independent review process to assess and report progress.
Delegates acknowledged the importance of this first-ever M&E/Accountability Framework, noting that such a framework has never before been applied for immunization activities.
World Health Assembly opens to discuss major health issues
WHO's Health Assembly, the world's largest health policy-making body, opened its 66th Session on 20 May in Geneva with around 3000 participants from around the world. Major health issues to be discussed include protecting more children from vaccine-preventable diseases; intensifying efforts to eradicate polio; and monitoring of progress countries are making towards the Millennium Development Goals.
Immunization news
- HPV vaccine in Argentina: a leap forward for girls’ and women’s health
- Increased risk of disease epidemics in Syria and neighbouring countries
- World Health Assembly supports Monitoring, Evaluation and Accountability Framework
- World Health Assembly opens to discuss major health issues
