3rd Global Meeting on Implementing New and Under-utilized Vaccines, 16-18 June 2009
Context
Participants at the meeting commended the immense progress made in the field of new vaccines introduction since the last meeting. The introduction of Hib vaccine globally is almost complete with 161/193 countries having already introduced or introducing in 2009 the vaccine. Of particular note this year was the submission of applications to the GAVI Alliance for support for Hib vaccine introduction from two countries with large birth cohorts: India and Nigeria. Additionally, WHO's Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) made recommendations for the use of HPV vaccine where prevention of cervical cancer is a public health priority.
Further key achievements since the last meeting:
- Rwanda became the first GAVI eligible country to introduce pneumococcal vaccine.
- WHO, through its Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on immunization (SAGE), made a global recommendation on the use of rotavirus vaccine, paving the way for GAVI-eligible countries in Africa and Asia to apply for the vaccine.
- The Accelerated Vaccine Introduction Initiative was launched to jointly continue the work of WHO/UNICEF, GAVI and the ADIPs
- Surveillance networks were successfully transitioned to WHO coordination and a common minimum data set and reporting procedures were established. In parallel, a demonstration project on integrated surveillance for communicable diseases was launched in 3 Central African countries (SURVAC Project).
- There is near universal acceptance of an approach where new vaccine introduction was used as an opportunity to promote a more comprehensive approach to pneumonia and diarrhoea control.
New unanticipated issues have arisen:
- AEFIs have stalled the introduction of the pentavalent vaccine in Sri Lanka and have highlighted the need for not just systems to detect and investigate these AEFIs, but also communication strategies to deal with the media fall-out and public perception of vaccines.
- Concerns over vaccines in non-AD pre-filled syringes have given way to consideration of issues related to multi-dose liquid vaccines without preservative and its repercussions on the practice of the multi-dose vial policy.
- The financial crisis has raised concerns about the sustainability of new vaccines use in the poorest countries.
- Pandemic A(H1N1) influenza will have an impact on planned activities as public health programmes struggle to cope with this new reality.
By clicking on the following links, you will be able to view summaries of the opening plenary session, and of the nine Work Groups:
- Introductory Session
- Workgroup 1. Use of local surveillance data to assess impact of new vaccines for advocacy of sustainable financing
- Workgroup 2. Coordination between National Regulatory Authorities and National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups and/or Immunization Managers
- Workgroup 3. Looking at visual cues and choosing preferred vaccine presentations
- Workgroup 4. Lessons learned from the field: Health risk and crisis communications for real or perceived risks due to vaccination
- Workgroup 5. Cold chain and logistics systems for preparedness for the introduction of PCV, Rotavirus, HPV and other new vaccines
- Workgroup 6. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine cost-effectiveness assessments
- Workgroup 7. Opportunities and barriers in new vaccine introduction decisions in GAVI-eligible countries, including large countries
- Workgroup 8. Training of health staff and review of the Global Immunization Training Framework
- Workgroup 9. Integrated approaches to pneumonia and diarrhoea management control