Online Program

295526
Development of a Cholera Vaccination Policy in the Island of Hispaniola, 2010–2013


Monday, November 4, 2013 : 11:00 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.

Andrea S. Vicari, DVM, PhD, Pan American Health Organization, San Jose, Costa Rica
Deployment of oral cholera vaccines (OCV) in the Island of Hispaniola has been considered since the emergence of the disease in October 2010. At that time, emergency response focused on the time-tested measures of treatment to prevent deaths and sanitation to diminish transmission. As transmission continued, vaccination was recommended in Haiti as one component of a comprehensive initiative supported by an international coalition to eliminate cholera transmission in the Island. A phased OCV introduction will be pursued in accordance with global vaccine supply; deployment options include routine immunization for children aged one year and campaigns in vulnerable metropolitan areas or in rural areas with limited access to health services.

Learning Areas:

Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Protection of the public in relation to communicable diseases including prevention or control
Public health or related public policy

Learning Objectives:
Describe how the policy for deployment of OCV evolved since October 2010 Discuss challenges and outlook for use of OCV in Haiti Formulate options for OCV deployment in future cholera outbreaks

Keyword(s): Disease Prevention, Health Service

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Dr. Andrea Vicari is an epidemiologist who joined in 2004 the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the regional office of the World Health Organization (WHO) for the Americas. He first advised the regional measles elimination initiative, later moving to the country office of Colombia, as immunization adviser, coordinating technical cooperation in maternal and child health and communicable disease prevention and control. Since September 2010, he is adviser of the Regional Comprehensive Family Immunization Unit.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.