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In-service training 2018

Vaccinology Courses

14th Annual African Vaccinology Course, Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town, South Africa, 12 to 17 November 2018

The 14th Annual African Vaccinology Course was organised by the Vaccines for Africa Initiative (VACFA), University of Cape Town, from 12 to 17 November 2018 in Cape Town, South Africa.

The objectives of the course included:

  • Provide participants with essential expertise to support national immunisation programmes
  • Broaden the understanding of the challenges and opportunities in vaccinology at regional and global levels
  • Build sustainable research capacity for vaccine development and conducting high quality phase I-IV vaccine trials in Africa
  • Foster communication and networking among African vaccinologists
  • Discuss the feasibility of vaccinology e-learning in Africa
  • Discuss the roles, challenges and opportunities for capacity building for the NITAG members in Africa

Two half days of the course was devoted to NITAG strengthening (16-17 November 2018). NITAG members from 9 African countries participated, which was a unique opportunity to share country experiences, including achievements and challenges. The course was attended by 62 participants from 30 African countries. Participants included national EPI managers, healthcare workers and basic scientists involved in vaccination programmes and/or vaccinology research in the African Region.

The course was facilitated by 32 faculty members (national and international), all experts in the field of vaccinology coming from academia and industry. NESI was invited by VACFA to lecture on “Vaccination schedules: past, present and future”.

 

 

 

Erasmus+ Mundus Joint Master Degree "Leading International Vaccinology Education", Lyon, France
Lyon, France, 27 September 2018

The new Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degree entitled “Leading International Vaccinology Education” (LIVE) was launched September 2016. LIVE is a two years Master’s programme between five European universities: Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, France (coordinating university); Universtat Autonoma de Barcelona, Spain; Universitat de Barcelona, Spain; University of Antwerp, Belgium; Université Jean Monnet Saint-Etienne, France. The programme is supported by a worldwide network of 31 international associated partners and 16 supporting partners. NESI is supporting partner to the LIVE programme. 

A total of 20 students are enrolled in the second LIVE promotion. 

NESI was invited to give a lecture on 27 September 2018 at the Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, during the third semester of the LIVE programme in the session on “Communication on vaccines and public health”. The lecture focused on the history and rationale of vaccination schedules; role of the NITAGs; and GVAP goals. One student also completed a 6-months internship with NESI working on “Understanding the acceptability and potential barriers of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in selected EMRO countries”.

 

ECAVI Vaccinology Course, Kampala, Uganda
Kampala, Uganda, 25 to 29 June 2018

The vaccinology course for healthcare professionals was organised by the East Africa Centre for Vaccines and Immunisation (ECAVI) from 25 to 29 June 2018 in Kampala, Uganda.

The aim of the vaccinology course was to equip healthcare professionals with up-to-date knowledge and skills on vaccines and immunisation in order to enable them deal with current and emerging challenges related to the immunisation programme.

The course was delivered through: formal lectures; case studies; debate and discussion; practical demonstration sessions and presentations by participants.

Upon completion of the course, participants were able to:

  • Understand the concept and principles of vaccination
  • Describe how vaccines work and their side effects
  • Describe indications, contraindications, efficacy, and safety of vaccines according to WHO criteria
  • Identify, manage and report AEFIs
  • Identify ways to improve communication with patients, parents and caregivers about vaccination
  • Identify best practices for implementing or improving immunisation programmes
  • Understand how to link and partner with other immunisation stakeholders
  • Champion and advocate for uptake and promotion of immunisation

The course was attended by 70 participants: the majority of participants were from Uganda, but also participants from neighbouring countries attended the course. NESI was represented by SAVIC, who delivered several presentations and participated in the Question and Answer session.

 

"TropEd" Advanced Vaccinology Course, Berlin, Germany
Berlin, Germany, 8 to 19 January 2018

The TropEd Advanced Vaccinology Course was organised by the Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health (ITMIH), Berlin, and NESI/University of Antwerp, from 8 to 19 January 2018 in Berlin, Germany. The course is an accredited module (3.5 ECTS credit points) of the TropEd Masters Programme in International Health. TropEd is a network of institutions for higher education in International Health, including European and non-European institutions. The accreditation for the two-weeks advanced vaccinology course was obtained in October 2013 and is valid until October 2018.
Twelve students attended the course. 

Lecturers came from the University of Cape Town (South Africa) and the South African Medical Reseach Council (SA-MRC), Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (Switzerland), Robert Koch Institute (Germany), Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health (Germany), Freie Universität Berlin (Germany), London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (UK), WHO/HQ (Switzerland), WHO/IARC (France), GlaxoSmithKline (Belgium and Germany) and the University of Antwerp (Belgium).

Teaching methods included seminar-style and interactive lectures, exercises and group work on specific target diseases.
Student evaluation was based on presentation of the group work, a written exam, and a written essay on a topic of choice relevant to vaccines and immunisation. The essays were evaluated by the course directors from ITMIH and NESI.

 

MLM Courses

Mid-level management training, Accra, Ghana
Accra, Ghana, 29 October to 1 November 2018
WHO/AFRO in collaboration with the Ministry of Health of Ghana, organised the first pilot training with the newly reformatted Mid-Level Managers modules. The training was conducted in Accra, Ghana, from 29 October to 1 November 2018. A total of 29 participants from the national and regional levels in Ghana attended the MLM training, focusing on 3 modules selected based on the national programme priorities.

The aim of the workshop was:

  • To train trainers from various levels in Ghana;
  • To pilot the updated training tools, and identify issues in the training materials and methods that need to be addressed before finalising the course materials.

Facilitators were from WHO and NESI. Instructional design experts from Bull City Learning were present to assist with the design of the training and to assist with finalising the remaining modules, including the online versions. Minor adaptations following the piloting will be incorporated in the final version of the revised MLM modules. A formal course evaluation was conducted and the new training format was well received by the participants.

Workshops supporting NITAGs

Strengthening national teams of experts to support HPV vaccine introduction in Eastern Mediterranean countries, Marrakech, Morocco
Marrakech, Morocco, 14 to 16 October 2018

From 14 to 16 October 2018, the Workshop on “Strengthening national teams of experts to support HPV vaccine introduction in Eastern Mediterranean countries” was organised in Marrakech, Morocco, by the University Cadi Ayyad, SOMIPEV, and NESI/University of Antwerp. The workshop received support from WHO/EMRO, GHD/EMPHNET and the Ministry of Health of Oman.

The workshop explored the current status of HPV vaccine introduction in Eastern Mediterranean countries, gaps in information about HPV disease burden in the region, and the role of NITAGs in new vaccine introduction. The workshop comprised of interactive presentations, round table discussions, country presentations, including sharing of experiences and best practices, and group work.

The key target group included representatives of: Expanded Programme on Immunisation; National Immunisation Technical Advisory Groups; Adolescent Health Programme; Non-communicable Disease Programme; School Health Programme; National and international immunisation partners; and other relevant stakeholders.

The objectives of the workshop included:

  • To discuss the burden of HPV related diseases, especially cervical cancer, in the Eastern Mediterranean Region;
  • To discuss the available HPV vaccines and their use in national immunisation programmes;
  • To discuss potential adolescent health interventions to be delivered alongside HPV vaccination;
  • To discuss optimal communication strategies for the introduction of HPV vaccination;
  • To exchange lessons learnt and best practices regarding new vaccine introduction, especially HPV vaccine, and adolescent health services among participating countries;
  • To strengthen national teams of experts in the participating countries to make evidence-based recommendations and decisions to support and advocate for the introduction of HPV vaccination;
  • To strengthen the international community to further stimulate discussion and research on cervical cancer, HPV vaccination and adolescent health.

The workshop was attended by 57 delegates, including participants and facilitators. Nominated delegates were from the Ministry of Health and/or NITAG members from the following countries: Jordan, Morocco, Palestine, Somalia, Sudan, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates. Other participants came from academia, national and international organisations, International Islamic Fiqh Academy, Islamic Development Bank, and industry.

Facilitators were from: Cadi Ayyad University, SOMIPEV, GHD/EMPHNET, MoH Oman, WHO/EMRO, WHO/IARC, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Gavi, WHO/Morocco, NESI/University of Antwerp.    

Presentations highlighted key aspects on burden of disease, cervical cancer screening, update on HPV vaccines and cost-effectiveness, delivery platform for HPV vaccination, and effective communication strategies for building public trust in HPV vaccination. The role of the NITAGs in the decision-making process for HPV vaccine introduction was stressed. Experiences of HPV vaccine introduction from other regions were shared by delegates from Indonesia and Senegal.

Two round table discussions addressed: (1) Overcoming hurdles for HPV vaccine introduction and cervical cancer screening, focusing on socio-cultural and religious challenges; and (2) HPV data required to make a decision to introduce HPV vaccine; and monitoring HPV vaccination coverage.

During the final session of the workshop, group work was conducted, addressing the following issues: (a) Status of decision making about HPV vaccine introduction in the participating countries; (b) Any needs for operational research to support the decision-making; (c) Technical and financial support that might be required from partners. Recommendations were made on how to advance the decision-making process for HPV vaccine introduction in the participating countries.

A short workshop summary has been published in the WHO Global Immunization News; November 2018.

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Renforcement des capacités de l'introduction du vaccin contre l'HPV dans les programmes nationaux d'immunisation, Marrakech, Morocco
Marrakech, Morocco, 6 April 2018

The HPV vaccine round table “Renforcement des capacités de l’introduction du vaccin contre l’HPV dans les programmes nationaux d’immunisation” was conducted on 6 April 2018, in Marrakech, Morocco, by Cadi Ayyad University, Société Marocaine d’Infectiologie Pédiatrique et de Vaccinologie (SOMIPEV) and NESI/University of Antwerp. This round table was organised back-to-back with the SOMIPEV symposium, which also aims to strengthen South-South collaboration.

The key target group included representatives of: Expanded Programme on Immunisation; National Immunisation Technical Advisory Groups; Adolescent Health Programme; Non-communicable Disease Programme; School Health Programme; National and international immunisation partners; and other relevant stakeholders.

A total of 8 countries participated in the round table: Algeria, Djibouti, Gabon, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Senegal and Tunisia. Facilitators were from Cadi Ayyad University, SOMIPEV, WHO/IARC and NESI.

The round table explored the current status of HPV vaccine introduction in the participating countries, gaps in information about HPV disease burden, and the role of NITAGs in new vaccine introduction. The meeting comprised of interactive presentations and country presentations including sharing of experiences and best practices, followed by a plenary discussion. 

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Development of Training Materials

Health worker training modules on pneumococcal disease and PCV10 4-dose vial presentation
29 March 2018

PCV10 presentations currently in use include a single and two-dose vial without preservative. Recently a new presentation of PCV10 has been developed, a 4-dose vial with preservative.

When countries start using the new 4-dose presentation, healthcare workers need to be trained on the correct use of this new presentation, including the use and handling of PCV10 multi-dose vials in accordance with WHO multi-dose vial policy.

To facilitate this process, NESI in collaboration with WHO/HQ, developed training modules on pneumococcal disease and PCV10 new multi-dose vial presentation. The training consists of seven modules, in-cluding a pre- and post-test to measure the impact of the training programme. The total duration of the training is approximately three hours.

Any country moving from the PCV10 single or two-dose vial to the 4-dose vial can use the training modules to prepare the country for the change.

Please click here to check out these new training modules.

 

Last updated: Jun 4, 2021
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