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TechNet-21 Virtual Conference survey

Dear TechNet members,

In preparation for the virtual TechNet-21 conference in October, the planning committee would appreciate your feedback.  Could you please take 5 minutes to answer the survey regarding some of the themes and format of the virtual conference?  This survey is open to all members (including suppliers) as the event will be the virtual conference.

If you have any questions or challenges please feel free to email Matt Morio [email protected].

Survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VirtualTCFeedbackEN1

OMS vous invite à deux événements en ligne

 Dans le cadre de la quatrième cohorte de la formation de l'OMS Scholar SPMVS (Stratégies et pratiques mondiales de vaccination systématique), l'OMS vous invite à deux événements en ligne: Le genre et la vaccination de routine, mercredi 14h (2pm) le 7 octobre, heure de Genève (vérifiez l’heure) Stratégies de vaccination de rattrapage dans le cadre de la COVID-19, vendredi 14h (2pm) le 16 octobre, heure de Genève (vérifiez l’heure) Veuillez vous inscrire ici: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_RiP33G2ASD-grVQMZs-W3Q Après votre inscription, vous recevrez un e-mail de confirmation contenant les instructions pour rejoindre les événements. Le genre et la vaccination de routine, mercredi 14h (2pm) le 7 octobre, heure de Genève De plus en plus de données montrent les multiples façons dont le genre influence les risques, l'accès aux services de santé et les résultats pour la santé, y compris pour la vaccination. Pour augmenter la couvertur...

Covid 19 vaccine distribution

Many of the vaccines being developed require extremely cold storage temperatures. If someone has some sense of what range of storage temperatures may be required for the covid 19 vaccine distribution, this information would be very valuable for manufactures to give them a jump on the design of appropriate distribution equipment, Larry Schlussler Sun Frost

New EIR analyses hope to inform future digital systems

*Edited on 9/29 to correct project contact. The BID Initiative is analyzing electronic immunization registry (EIR) data from Tanzania to better understand common immunization program barriers and the ways in which EIRs can solve for them. A BID analytics team of PATH staff from the U.S. and Tanzania are working with immunization experts to conduct a series of analyses to better understand how the digital platforms may solve remaining service delivery challenges. Analyses will look at key themes like missed opportunities for vaccination and population movement and we hope they will inform future EIR designs, digital systems, and data dashboards. You can read more about the opportunity in the second issue of a two-part blog series. We’d love to hear from you! Are there other EIR analyses you'd like to see? Email us at [email protected], or add your thoughts in the blog comments. Thanks, Celina on behalf of the BID Initiative team...

How to Pave the Way for Equitable Vaccine Distribution

Dear colleagues,With many potential COVID-19 candidates and with several routine immunization campaigns affected by the pandemic, how do we preemptively plan for equitable vaccine distribution?In my recent Op-Ed, I introduce a new approach called PAVE, to designate a “backbone” for the cold chain that can reach every person in a country. Similar to an emergency exit route that designates an unobstructed pathway to exit a building, this “backbone” will become the pathway for emergency vaccine storage and distribution. Once the equipment is identified, countries can then determine and direct the resources necessary to make that pathway as strong as possible, as soon as possible. PAVE would rely on existing datasets within a country to identify the strongest and most strategically important links in the current cold chain. With this Op-Ed, I encourage all of us to start questioning and thinking about the role of data for cold chain planning: a) What are some datasets cou...

Portable vaccine refrigerators – do we need them?

Recent developments in refrigerator technology offer healthcare workers the ability to store vaccines in portable active (powered) refrigeration devices, rather than in traditional passive vaccine carriers. It’s an intriguing idea that offers the potential to both increase the length of time that vaccines can be transported as well as improve the thermostability of vaccines during transport. But introducing new technology and working practices to well-established systems can have drawbacks as well as opportunities. For example, reduced storage capacity and/or bulkier devices for the users to carry, increased purchase and maintenance costs, etc. But on the other side it is often the case that the opportunities outweigh the drawbacks, especially if the drawback can be mitigated. Considering both the advantages and risks, I wonder how useful this emerging technology could be to immunization programs looking to optimise the delivery of their immunization services, in both campaign/outr...

TechNet Conference goes virtual: 20-21 October 2020

We are thrilled to announce the date for the next TechNet Conference, which will take place virtually over two days: Tuesday 20 and Wednesday 21 October. In an era of mounting pressure on immunization supply chains, intensified by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the conference will investigate the challenges faced by national immunization programs, will explore the ways in which these challenges have been met, and will present essential strategies and tools for shaping resilient and adaptive immunization supply chains. Unlike our previous face-to-face conferences, registration for this virtual event will not be restricted, and participation will require only an internet connection. For more information and regular updates on the TechNet Conference, please watch this space and follow us on our Twitter handle or Facebook account.  My deep appreciation to Dan Brigden and to all the Planning Committee for their energy and commitment for making this happened.  ...

Sabin's Boost Community Announces Call for Stories of Resourcefulness, Adaptability & Resilience

Dear Colleagues, The Boost Community is excited to launch the second call for Bright Spots - stories of grassroots-driven process improvement in routine immunization service delivery at the sub-national level. Following last year's inaugural call for stories focused on Partnership for Impact, this forthcoming call seeks stories of operational change that illustrate resourcefulness, adaptability and resilience. Given the current global pandemic and its impact on routine immunization, we are particularly excited to share stories of change that demonstrate new ways of doing things. You can view previous Bright Spots on our new microsite: https://brightspots.boostcommunity.org. ❗ Please Note: With the goal of showcasing operational change at the sub-national level, submissions by implementing partners must be submitted in collaboration with the relevant EPI team or local organization. Selected stories will be showcased and shared within the Boost Community - a global network of more t...

Webinar: New guidance for managing health care waste produced by your immunisation program

Webinar: New guidance for managing health care waste produced by your immunisation program August 20, 2020, 9:00 a.m. EST / 3:00 p.m. CEST (Geneva) REGISTER HERE:  https://who.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_os4B34RiR0mgeELADv7yTQ  Join Gavi and UNICEF for a webinar on health care waste management with a focus on the immunisation program. As immunisation increasingly reaches more people, health care waste (HCW) also grows. Certain types of HCW can pose significant environmental and public health risks due to its toxic, infectious, and other hazardous properties. The presenters will highlight two new tools to help the planning and implementation of best practices for waste management: Gavi’s Health Care Waste Management in Immunisation Programs: Guidance for Proposal Planning. This guide (and the accompanying Synthesis and Maturity Model) encourages countries to address health care waste management (HCWM) through a coordinated effort across many entities within the Minist...