Networking & Advocacy: Activities 2019

The Vaccine Safety Net (VSN) is a global network of websites, established by the World Health Organization, that provides reliable information on vaccine safety. VSN organized a workshop to discuss best practices on promoting credible, accurate, compelling vaccine and vaccine safety information online and using data and analytics for decision making in vaccine and vaccine safety communication. In addition, CDC-VSN "minimum package" project on recommended content and structure for immunisation programme and other vaccine related government websites (including social media channels) was also discussed. The representative from social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube and Pinterest shared their work on how they are minimizing the flow of misinformation on vaccines related topics in their respective platform. Some of the countries also shared their experience on the influence of social media like Facebook in immunisation programme and mass vaccination campaign.

NESI has been an active VSN member for last two years and therefore, was invited to attend the workshop remotely. In total, 102 participants attended the workshop in person and remotely. The workshop included interactive presentations, group work discussions and trainings on using data and analytics for decision making on vaccine and vaccine safety communication.

The Second WHO African Health Forum was jointly convened by WHO/AFRO and the Government of Cabo Verde from 26-28 March 2019, in Praia, Cabo Verde.

The theme of the Forum was “Achieving universal health coverage and health security: the Africa we want to see”.