5177.0: Wednesday, October 24, 2001: 2:30 PM-4:00 PM

Oral Session

New Directions for Immunization in Developing Countries: the Global Alliance

Immunization has served as a cornerstone of primary health care in much of the developing world over the past 20 years. This session will consider trends in immunization programs, leading to an examination of GAVI, a new model for global partnerships between UN agencies, governments, CDC, industry, NGO's, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and others. The session will explore the unique strengths and challenges of an alliance to support international public health, and how such a global partnership can move efficiently to accomplish shared objectives. It will discuss the role of the US government, CDC, and public health agencies and a new partner to immunization, the Bill and Melinda Gates Children's Vaccine Program at PATH, within GAVI. Lastly, it will focus on concrete strides by the partners to improve global childhood immunization programs and introduce new vaccines such as hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) in less developed countries.
Learning Objectives: Describe the essential trends in immunization programs in recent years, and the impact on global mortality and morbidity. Discuss the operations of and lessons from GAVI and the Global Fund for Children's Vaccines in strengthening immunization programs of the developing world.
Organizer(s):Alan Brooks, MS, RN
Sponsor:International Health
Cosponsors:Latino Caucus; Socialist Caucus
CE Credits:CME, Health Education (CHES), Nursing, Pharmacy, Social Work

The 129th Annual Meeting of APHA