GVSI Bulletin goes live

The first edition of the quarterly GVSI Bulletin has been published on 31 March 2013. The main objective of this newsletter is to synergize knowledge and expertise of stakeholders of the Global Vaccine Safety Initiative (GVSI) and to provide updates on the implementation of the Initiative.

To optimize collaborative activities, the GVSI Bulletin aims to provide all stakeholders of the Initiative with practical information on components of the portfolio and activities of GVSI stakeholders that match the eight objectives of the Global Vaccine Safety Blueprint. The newsletter also provides stakeholders profiles to increase visibility of their actions.

• The GVSI Bulletin newsletter
  pdf, 471kb

The current GVSI portfolio includes activities reviewed by the GVSI PG in November 2012, some of which are expected to extend up to 2020, that is the duration of the Decade of Vaccine endorsed by the World Health Assembly. All GVSI projects are listed and monitored through the portfolio.

Portfolio activities benefit from the visibility provided by the GVSI through its broad base of stakeholders. GVSI participants and stakeholders may refer to the portfolio to assist in making funding decisions. Interested parties can request further details on the nature of the activities, outputs, outcomes and expected impact by contacting the responsible contact person or on request to GVSI@who.int

• Global Vaccine Safety initiative activities portfolio 2012-2020
  pdf, 231kb

For optimal vaccine safety monitoring and meaningful analysis of Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI) data, systematic and standard collection of critical parameters is essential. A limited number of variables are required to properly manage AEFI information. This includes a unique identification of the report, the primary source of information, patient characteristics, details of the event(s) and vaccine(s) of interest and the possibility of collecting additional information if needed.

Comparing AEFI reporting forms from a sample of emerging countries, a WHO working group developed a core data set that was endorsed by the Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS) in June 2012. This data set includes 22 variables with 10 identified as critical. This simple structure is expected to provide countries with a harmonized template that will simplify AEFI reporting and allow for comparisons and pooling of essential information for action.

• AEFI Core Variables
  pdf, 13kb
• Sample AEFI reporting form using core variables
  pdf, 139kb

The E-learning course on Vaccine Safety was launched as CD-ROM and PDF version in Egypt at the end of 2012. Both products have been developed for users in remote settings with limited or no internet access.

The uptake of the E-learning course so far has been encouraging: more than 7,000 users having picked up the course within the first six months of its use. Among the top five countries using the course range 3 middle income countries from the African, Eastern Mediterranean and South East Asian Region.

• E-learning course on Vaccine Safety Basics