Technical Support Activities 2020
NITAG partners meeting
The introduction of the meeting by WHO/HQ was followed by 4 partner presentations. Robert Koch Institute gave an update on SYSVAC2: Global registry of systematic reviews on vaccination and online course. NESI/University of Antwerp presented the development of a NITAG vaccinology course for the Eastern Mediterranean Region. The Task Force for Global Health presented the Toolkit for NITAG Evidence to Recommendation (EtR) training. WHO/HQ presented the WHO project on revision of training materials.
This virtual meeting was important to exchange, align and coordinate activities with the main stakeholders involved in supporting NITAGs at various levels.
Training in immunisation at South African Vaccinology and Immunisation Centre/Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University
The South African Vaccination and Immunisation Centre/Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SAVIC/SMU) developed the online “Higher Certificate in Vaccinology” (HCert Vaccinology) programme, which is a basic introductory programme for in-service healthcare workers who work in the South African EPI programme and private sector clinics offering infant/childhood vaccination services. The training programme is divided into 2 blocks consisting of 11 modules over 30 weeks. Accreditation for the Higher Certificate in Vaccinology was received in 2018.
NESI was invited by SAVIC/SMU to be external moderator for three modules in the HCert Vaccinology programme: (1) Introduction to immune response against infectious diseases; (2) Introduction to vaccinology; and (3) Introduction to vaccine manufacture and distribution.
NESI served as external examiner for a Master of Pharmacy dissertation:
Sandra Tanyaradzwa Nhira. Prevention and control of hepatitis B and influenza among healthcare workers at the Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital, Gauteng Province. January 2020.
Joint publication. Malande OO, Afaayo RN, Dochez C, Meyer JC, Musyoki AM, Burnett RJ. Strengthening immunisation services in East Africa through training. Africa Health. January 2020: 11-13.
Global Collaboration on Vaccinology Training
The Global Collaboration on Vaccinology Training was established in November 2018 during the first Global Vaccinology Training Workshop, organised by the Mérieux Foundation and the University of Geneva. The collaboration aims to identify gaps and future needs as well as discuss collaboration between the different vaccinology courses.
To address these aims, four working groups have been established: (1) e-portal; (2) industry engagement; (3) evaluation and; (4) needs assessment. NESI is member of the working group on “needs assessment”.
A global vaccinology training website has been developed, providing an overview of existing vaccinology training courses.
Teleconferences are being organised every six months to discuss any updates of the working groups. NESI is an active member of the Global Collaboration on Vaccinology Training and participates in the Webinar series on “Best Practices in Continuous Professional Development”. NESI is member of the organising committee for the second Global Vaccinology Training Workshop, which is planned for the first quarter of 2022.
An overview of the current vaccinology courses was published in “Vaccine”.
Asturias EJ, Duclos P, MacDonald NE, Nohynek H, Lambert P-H, the Global Vaccinology Training Collaborative. Advanced vaccinology education: Landscaping its growth and global footprint. Vaccine 2020; 38: 4664-4670.