TechNet Conference 2015

The TechNet is a global technical network of professionals and practitioners committed to strengthening immunization services in developing countries – a network that was established in 1989 with WHO as its Secretariat. Since its creation, members of the network meet face-to-face every two years in order to discuss key immunization implementation challenges. The last TechNet Conference was held in 2013 in Dakar, Senegal and had an unprecedented number of participants (close to 200). In addition to the members of the network and the national country participants, the conference attendees included global, regional and country staff of WHO and UNICEF, as well as key immunization partners of Gavi, NGOs and private-sector immunization equipment manufacturers and information technology vendors.

The location for the TechNet Conference traditionally rotates across the six WHO regions, and this time around it returns to South-East Asia. The selected location is Bangkok, Thailand and the dates of the 14th TechNet Conference are set for 11-15 May 2015.

Given the growing interest in this topic since the last TechNet Conference and the advent of many new global initiatives like the Gavi Strategy, the theme of the 14th TechNet Conference will be: “Immunization Supply Chain and Logistics: Current Challenges, Innovations and Future Prospects”. The agenda will be organized so that the following 8 topics are covered:

1. Vaccine products, delivery technologies and innovations
2. Vaccine management planning, policies and practice
3. Human resources for logistics
4. Cold chain equipment & management systems
5. Temperature monitoring in the cold chain
6. Network design and supply chain optimization
7. Distribution and transportation systems
8. LMIS and data for management

In addition to the formal agenda, we will host the following opportunities to network, exchange experiences/information and learn more:

• A Manufacturers Marketplace, where vaccine companies will showcase the latest innovations in vaccine delivery technologies for the cold chain, and where cold chain equipment manufacturers will unveil and demonstrate their latest models.
• Innovations Café, where innovative technology solutions can be showcased relating to other aspects of the immunization supply chain (for example, mobile technologies for stock management or continuous temperature monitoring devices).
• Project Gallery, where stories of the great work that partners are doing with countries can be told through poster sessions.
• TechNet Website and e-forum clinic, where participants can learn more about the value of TechNet as an online resource and knowledge hub for immunization supply chains.

We anticipate an agenda that will mix formal plenary sessions in the mornings covering key immunization supply chain topics, together with highly interactive sessions in the afternoons touching on the immunization supply chain themes noted above. The interactive sessions in the afternoon will take the form of focused breakout discussions, technical panel discussions, and spontaneous group discussions. Whereas the 13th TechNet Conference in Senegal was co-organized by WHO and PATH under the umbrella of project Optimize, this conference is being co-organized under the leadership of the WHO-UNICEF Immunization Supply Chain and Logistics Hub. To help plan and organize the conference, a small planning committee has been established with long-standing partners of TechNet including WHO, UNICEF, the Program for Appropriate Technologies in Health (PATH) and John Snow, Inc. (JSI).

Very shortly, we will be following up with more details on the Conference. In particular:

• A proposed agenda prepared by the planning committee will be circulated for inputs and comments.
• Information on the selected hotel in Bangkok.
• A registration system to help us track participants and secure participant space.

Depending on the level of interest, we may need to limit participation. Priority will be given to those that manifest their interest as early as possible. There will be no fee to pay for attending the TechNet Conference, and lunches and coffee breaks will be provided free of charge. However, travel and accommodation expenses will be the responsibility of participants. For more information on the forthcoming TechNet Conference in Bangkok, please visit the TechNet-21.org website. http://www.technet-21.org/news-and-events/events/viewevent/91 For specific inquiries, please contact Patrick Lydon ([email protected]).

TechNet members can keep up to date with event planning by joining the TechNet Conference 2015 group.