Global Immunization Newsletter - December 2022
Message by the Director of the Department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals at WHO
As 2022 draws to an end, let me take this opportunity to highlight some of the key events during November and December, that will shape and direct our joint work in 2023 and beyond.
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Upcoming meetings
• 5 – 6 December 2022: PDVAC Hybrid meeting, Geneva
• 5 - 9 December 2022: WHO 11th Global Management Meeting of WRs with the DG and RDs, Geneva
• 7 - 8 December 2022: Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance Board Meeting, Geneva
• 13 - 15 December: Chic/SEARO HPV vaccine meeting, New Delhi, India
• 14 December: IA2030 financing (SP6) working group - quarterly meeting, Virtual
• 16 or 17 January 2023 (TBC): TB Vaccine Summit at World Economic Forum, Davos
• 25 - 26 January 2023: AMRO TAG meeting on vaccines, Washington
• 30 January - 7 February 2023: 152nd Session of the WHO Executive Board (EB 152), Geneva
News/features
WHO releases first data on global vaccine market since COVID-19
WHO’s Global Vaccine Market Report shows that inequitable distribution is not unique to COVID-19 vaccines. "The right to health includes the right to vaccines," said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. "And yet this new report shows that free-market dynamics are depriving some of the world's poorest and most vulnerable people of that right."
6 lessons from the malaria vaccine pilots to inform broader use of the life-saving vaccine
Pilots confirmed vaccine is safe, life-saving and feasible to deliver. Malaria vaccine now one of WHO’s recommended interventions to prevent malaria in children.
PAHO develops roadmap to curb spread of meningitis in the Americas by 2030
WHO estimates that meningitis caused 250 000 deaths in 2019. Health experts gathered at a Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) conference this week to develop a roadmap to defeat meningitis in the Region by 2030. “The goal of the 2030 roadmap is to reduce meningitis cases by 50% and deaths by 70%,” said Dr. Lucia de Oliveira, PAHO Regional Advisor for Immunization.
Somalia: accelerating COVID-19 vaccination in a fragile context by counting every child
In 2022, the Somalian Ministry of Health with support from WHO and UNICEF, developed a plan to accelerate the roll out of COVID-19 vaccination aiming to administer 3.5 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Data shows that 37.89% of Somali people have completed their primary vaccination against COVID-19 and 14% have received their first dose and will soon receive their remaining dose.
Liberia conducts Comprehensive EPI Review
Liberia conducted its first Comprehensive Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) review in 10 years. The findings show that the overall performance of EPI, integrating all components and all counties, is 45.21% with no distinct difference between county, district and HF levels. The complete report will be released once it has been endorsed by the country.
Ted Chaiban, Global Lead Coordinator of CoVDP, visits Mali
The West African country of Mali is one of nine countries with less than 10% COVID-19 vaccination coverage. Recommendations from Ted Chaibain’s visit in October include conducting a series of mass COVID-18 vaccination campaigns in November 2022 and January 2023.
Past meetings/workshops
- Celebrating 20 years of a polio-free WHO European Region
- 31st Inter-country meeting of National EPI managers and meeting of the RTAG on immunization
- Report on 15th meeting Regional Certification Commission for Poliomyelitis Eradication
- Report on National level training on AEFI and vaccine safety surveillance
- Report on 19th Africa Annual Meningitis Meeting & 9th Meeting of MenAfriNet Partners
- Strengthening religious leaders’ role as preventive health champions in Guatemala
New publications/resources
Medical specialists’ attitudes and practices towards childhood vaccination: a qualitative study from Armenia
Childhood vaccination rates in Armenia are high. Yet, anecdotal evidence suggests that some health workers may advise against vaccination. The extent and reasons behind this are unknown. This study used the World Health Organization’s Tailoring Immunization Programmes approach to investigate medical specialists’ vaccination practices.
Announcements
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Share your immunization news by Monday 16 January 2023
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article by Monday 16 January 2023.
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