Networking & Advocacy: Activities 2018

The Meeting of the Vaccine Safety Net (VSN) was organised in Veyrier-du-Lac, France, from 4 to 5 June 2018. In view of the anticipated WHO accreditation of the NESI website, NESI was invited to remotely attend the Meeting through WebEx. 

The objectives of the meeting included:

• Review strategies to address internet users' information needs to enhance websites' content, structure and features;
• Discuss vaccine safety information and communication on social media;
• Discuss how and when to address controversies and vaccine hesitancy in the digital sphere;
• Think outside the box and have a cutting-edge dialogue for new ideas to build and sustain confidence in vaccines using the web.

The meeting was attended by VSN members, VSN advisory group, VSN web analytics team, partners and stakeholders, WHO and VSN secretariat. Around 90 participants attended the meeting, including those that connected remotely.

Participants shared their experiences, challenges and best practices for improving vaccine safety information and communication on websites and social media.

The Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) meetings were organised by WHO from 17 to 18 April 2018, and from 23 to 25 October 2018, in Geneva, Switzerland. SAGE advises WHO on overall global policies and strategies, ranging from vaccine research and development, to delivery of immunisation services and linking immunisation with other health interventions. SAGE usually meets twice a year and reports directly to the Director-General of WHO.

SAGE is an excellent opportunity for NESI to network but also for understanding the rationale supporting WHO's recommendations on vaccines and immunisation. These evidence-based arguments can immediately be incorporated in NESI's education and training activities enriching discussions with the most up-to-date information, especially relevant for vaccinology courses and workshops focusing on new vaccine introduction.