Dear viewers, A merry Christmas and a Happy new year 2019! On Christmas Eve of 2012, we shared the first write up on Immunogram as “Xmas gift”. Today, 6 years later, we wish to share it again because it can potentially achieve and sustain ≥90% Full Immunization Coverage (FIC) below one year and booster between 16 & 24 months as a package - see the attached one pager. Hope governments and other stakeholders will take up the success story for replication in a wider area. best wishes n happy reading

Dear esteemed viewers, ANM Mrs Chandrakala KM, AWW Mrs Indiravathi and ASHA Mrs Saraswathi K are the 3 ‘A’ces working in Health Sub-Centre Baddadka of planning unit Aranathodu of Sullia Block of Dakshinakannada District, Karnataka State, India. The entire planning unit – PHC Aranthodu will cross >90% coverage including booster dose by 2018 itself. The attached one page write-up describes a very rare event, though not uncommon in RI programmes hence thought of sharing with the viewers on this occasion of World Immunization Day. It is possible only through the simplest tool and a unique approach.  We hope all of you will enjoy the reading. Best wishes, KVG Team  

TechNet-21 is looking for talented people to join the team. The following roles are currently being advertised: Website community manager, full-time, 12 months from January-December 2019 Website administrator and develop, full-time, 12 months from January-December 2019 If you want to help shape the direction of the technical network for strengthening immunization services, please refer to the full details below. We look forward to hearing from you :-) Community Manager for the TechNet-21.org website: "Increase the quantity and value of community engagement on the TechNet-21 website, working with partners and the community itself to deliver new and improved features and services. The position includes website moderation and support, content management, localisation management, and social media management responsibilities." https://www.ungm.org/Public/Notice/79163 Website administrator / developer for the TechNet-21 Website: "Deliver new website features and improved functionality, regular website support and maintenance, and website administration / development activities" https://www.ungm.org/Public/Notice/79219

A WHO software application, the Health Equity Assessment Toolkit (HEAT), conceptualized by Ahmad Reza Hosseinpoor and Anne Schlotheuber of the department of Information, Evidence and Research, came "highly commended" in the prestigious British Medical Association (BMA) book competition on 4 September. Readers can use the software on their computers and mobile devices, to assess health equity in countries for a range of indicators and dimensions. Health equity data are visualized in a variety of customisable tables and graphs, making the tool interactive and easy to use.  “The issue of health inequalities is central to much of the thinking around health improvement globally and no region is exempt from the pernicious effect of health and social inequalities,” the judges said. “This toolkit is particularly relevant in supporting the achievement of the sustainable development goals (SDGs).” The database is continually updated and this, the judges said, is particularly important for low and middle-income countries where people may not have the resources to update the database themselves. When HEAT was first launched, it was restricted to data from the WHO’s Health Equity Monitor database, which contains disaggregated data on reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health for 111 countries. The new edition of the toolkit, called HEAT Plus, enables users to upload data from their own sources, making it a comprehensive tool for analysing and reporting in any health topic and beyond at global, national, subnational levels. HEAT Plus, when it was tested in Indonesia, allowed people in that country to analyse and interpret inequalities in many other health topics using vast amounts of its own data including survey and facilities data. “Monitoring health inequality is essential to ensure no one is being left behind,” said Dr Ahmad Reza Hosseinpoor, who leads WHO’s work on health equity monitoring. “WHO has developed a package of resources and tools to encourage the practice of and build capacity for global and national health inequality monitoring. HEAT provides evidence on the state of health inequality and can help countries set priorities and establish equity-oriented policies, programs and interventions.” --> To access HEAT and HEAT Plus, visit the following website: http://www.who.int/gho/health_equity/assessment_toolkit/en/ To read more about this, please see attachment.

Dear Colleagues, Greetings from Empower! We would like to share with you the details of our upcoming 2nd International Workshop on Global Health Procurement and Supply Chain in Conflict and Fragile States, scheduled from 22-25 October in Dubai, UAE.  Key objectives of the workshop:  To provide participants with a clear understanding of the critical need to use a risk management based approach, with identification and categorization of the key risk factors, and then how planning can be instigated so that priority risks can be mitigated.  To provide participants with an overview of the PSM policies, strategies and processes that address both humanitarian and health supply chain and how they can blend as countries transition out of a conflict. To help participants develop an understanding and identification of the vulnerable population groups, changing morbidity and mortality patterns during conflicts, and seek to align such factors with changing product selection and quantification activities. We will have professionals from various UN agencies, Ministries of Health, International NGOs and private sector attending this workshop. PFA the brochure for the workshop. The training fee payable is USD 2500, this includes:  Four days of face-to-face training in Dubai Resources, course material, and workshop kit  Lunch, tea, and snacks during the workshop sessions  Local transportation for field visits  One year of technical assistance  Certificate from Empower  Does not include: accommodation, airfare, health insurance, visa fees, or other travel expenses  For more details and for Registration -  goo.gl/KnB5fA Newsletter for the previous Workshop -  goo.gl/ZC8SmD Feel free to contact us for any queries you may have.   Regards --  Ms. Kavya RS  |  Training & Education Coordinator  |  Empower School of Health |  New Delhi . New York  | SkypeID : empower.schoolofhealth  |  +91.95.99.83.50.01 (India) | info@empowerschoolofhealth.org |  www.empowerschoolofhealth.org     "Empowering lives by promoting universal access to health and education"        Connect with Empower

Please find below links to the various communications materials on the 2017 global immunization coverage data posted on the WHO/IVB website. Web story
9 in 10 infants worldwide received vaccinations in 2017
http://www.who.int/immunization/newsroom/2018_infants_worldwide_vaccinations/en/ WHO Immunization coverage fact sheet
http://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/immunization-coverage

Empower is organizing the third International Workshop and Study Tour on Ensuring Universal Health Coverage by Promoting Access to Life-Saving Medicines in Geneva, Switzerland scheduled from 20th to 24th August 2018. It’s a 5-day workshop and our participants will be public health professionals, program officers, supply chain professionals from various Ministries of Health, UN agencies, donor agencies, private and civil society organizations.
The Key Topics to be covered during the workshop are Universal Health Coverage, Access to Medicines, Key Components of PSM, Supply Chain - Levels of Maturity, Quality Assurance, and Regulatory Sciences. This workshop will share with the participants how leading global health stakeholders are supporting the Universal Health Coverage agenda with the focus on access to essential medicines.
The overall objectives of the Workshop are: Interact with and learn from global health leaders from WHO, Global Fund, UNDP, Red Cross, GAVI, Stop TB and many more. Recognize the role and structure of leading global health organizations in promoting Universal Health Coverage Identify the key concepts of access to medicines and relationship with Universal Health Coverage Learn about improvements and innovation in access to new medicines Achieve personal growth in terms of leadership and management skills linked with global policies translated into local actions This workshop is targeted at professionals in public health programs (donors, government, the private sector, NGOs, civil society, academia) and people interested in global health procurement and supply chain/logistics and universal health coverage.
Course fees: US$ 2500 which includes: One week face-to-face training in Geneva + two weeks of preparatory work Certificate from Empower Swiss Local transportation for field visits Technical assistance for one year Does not include – international travel, airport transfers, food and accommodation To apply, please Click Here - goo.gl/UmpXjX

Registration deadline: 5th August 2018

Please feel free to contact us for any further queries or information - training@empowerschoolofhealth.org

Dear Colleagues, Empower is organizing the 2nd International Workshop on Monitoring and Evaluation of Global Health Programs, scheduled from 05th– 13th September 2018 in New Delhi, India. The eight-day residential workshop will provide the platform for state of the art tools and techniques. By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to: - Apply the learning in various health programs on basic concepts and practical approaches towards effective programmatic monitoring and evaluation.
- Formulate a framework (result/logical/conceptual) on how the program or intervention will lead to specific health outcomes and impact.
- Analyze sources of data, their uses, issue of data quality and its importance in specific programs.
- Discuss and develop SMART program indicators based on an understanding of program-specific criteria.
- Review the various mapping and population size estimation techniques used for evaluating various health programs.
- Analyze the various approaches and methods of estimating program coverage.
- Review the various evaluation designs.
- Develop monitoring and evaluation plan for health program by applying knowledge and skills gained throughout the course. Some of the important topics of the workshop are:
- Developing M&E Plan
- Routine and Non-Routine Information Systems
- Frameworks and Indicators
- Gender Integration
- Population Size Estimation
- Size estimation methods like Census, Enumeration, Multiplier Method, Capture-Recapture, Network Scale-up, PLACE Tool
- Overview of Extrapolation Methodologies
- Different M&E tools: like PRISM, DQA, DDIU
- Surveys and Surveillance
- Evaluation and Operation Research Facilitators for this workshop have rich experience working in HIV/AIDS and have authored documents, conducted workshops and provided technical assistance for HIV prevention programs. They also have rich experience in designing and implementing the research activities for many large-scale HIV/AIDS projects. Course fee: US$ 3200 which includes:
- 8-day face-to-face workshop in Delhi
- Resources, course material, and workshop kit
- Accommodation for the duration of the workshop
- Breakfast, lunch, tea, and snacks during the workshop sessions
- Airport transfers and local transportation for field visits
- Certificate from Empower School of Health
- One-year of technical assistance
- Does not include – airfare, health insurance, visa fees, dinner or other travel expenses Please follow this link for the online application form - goo.gl/3B6joR Please feel free to email us​ at training@empowerschoolofhealth.org and let us know if you need any other assistance.​ Regards --
Ms. Kavya RS | Training & Education Coordinator | Empower School of Health

The purpose of this Request for Proposals (RFP) is to enter into a contractual agreement with a successful bidder and select a suitable contractor to carry out the following work: a value proposition of a generic guideline to establish and strengthen national Interagency Coordination Committees (ICC) in the WHO African Region.
WHO is an Organization that is dependent on the budgetary and extra-budgetary contributions it receives for the implementation of its activities. Bidders are, therefore, requested to propose the best and most cost-effective solution to meet WHO requirements, while ensuring a high level of service. Further information are available in the attached document. Proposals should be submitted until 15th July (attention, in the attached document it is mentioned 15th June but an extension was approved until 15th July) by email to WHO to the following address: afrgoafrobids@who.int

Dear Colleagues, The agenda of the ‘International Workshop in Ensuring Product Quality in Procurement and Supply Chain Management’ was to present face-to-face opportunity to the participants from National Medical Supplies Fund (NMSF), Federal Ministry of Health, Sudan in gaining a comprehensive understanding of concepts of Quality Assurance (QA) of pharmaceutical products and processes in procurement and supply chain. The workshop was held in Al-Fateh Idris Hall in the Abdul Hamid Ibrahim Training Centre (AITC-NMSF) from 13th - 19th April 2018 and was attended by 29 participants. The workshop was led by Professor Andy Barraclough and Ms. Radhika Singh and provided an excellent opportunity to learn from daily work experiences with other participants from different states and districts as well. The participants evaluated the workshop highly in terms of content and methodology. The participants found the workshop well-structured, comprehensive, rich in content and useful for implementing the QA agenda in their respective departments. Field visit to NMSF central warehouse, case studies, and group work were rated highly. The arrangements of the workshop and the hospitality and commitment of the NMSF staff was highly appreciated by all participants. Click here for newsletter: goo.gl/aRyGG5

Dear TechNet community,  In order to improve your experience as TechNet-21 users, we have recently migrated the website to a new host, to make it faster and more secure. We hope you will appreciate the improvements made. Website migration being a complex process, there might be some technical glitches that have not been noticed yet. Should you have any problem with the new platform, please let us know using one of the following methods and we will do our best to fix it: Use the following Contact form https://www.technet-21.org/en/home/contact  Email the TechNet Moderator directly (moderator@technet-21.org) Reply to this forum post if you have general feedback to share about the website. Many thanks, The TechNet-21 team PS: We will be reaching out to all members shortly with a request for feedback on how we can improve the TechNet platform and provide more value to our members. Stay tuned.

WHO/Europe is working with immunization programmes across the European Region to help them raise awareness about HPV vaccination, address obstacles to high uptake and prepare for HPV vaccine introduction where it is not yet part of the routine immunization programme. As part of this work WHO/Europe has led or collaborated in the production of information materials, including the following resources: Video: HPV and cervical cancer – a personal story Video: How the HPV vaccine works Video: Monitoring the side effects of the HPV vaccine Q&A about the HPV virus and vaccine Talking with patients and parents about HPV vaccination for girls: Information for health care professionals A field guide to qualitative research for new vaccine introduction
To access these and more WHO resources related to HPV go to: http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/disease-prevention/vaccines-and-immunization/vaccine-preventable-diseases/human-papillomavirus-hpv2

Dear TechNet community, The 15th TechNet Conference will take place next week in Cascais, Portugal. All plenary sessions will be streamed on the TechNet-21 channel on YouTube, so if you are not attending in person you can still participate remotely. https://www.youtube.com/user/TechNet21 Please use this link if you want to watch the plenary sessions live. We encourage you to submit questions to presenters by using the "Comments" box displayed underneath the video. You can also watch recordings of plenary sessions as soon as the session ends. A summary of the agenda is provided below, but for full details please refer to the TechNet Conference Guide.  https://www.technet-21.org/en/library/explore/global-initiatives/4170-technet-conference-2017-conference-guide Don't forget to follow TechNet-21 on Twitter for the latest conference updates - use the hashtag #technetconference to join the discussion. https://twitter.com/TechNet21Mod https://twitter.com/hashtag/TechNetConference Until next week!   Dan Brigden TechNet Conference Secretariat   ---   All times in UTC.   MONDAY, OCTOBER 16 CONFERENCE OPENING
16:00-18:30 Welcome remarks
Patrick Lydon (WHO), Oleg Benes (WHO EURO) Next-generation of immunization supply chains are needed to achieve immunization and health systems goals
Moderator: Ousmane Dia (UNICEF). Chris Wright (JSI), Alan Brooks (Gavi) Building a movement for advancing towards the next generation of immunization supply chains
Moderator: Kaleb Brownlow (Gates Foundation). Emma Stewart (PATH), Melissa West (VillageReach), Laura Herman (FSG) Making the most out of the conference - the agenda for dummies
Patrick Lydon (WHO)   TUESDAY, OCTOBER 17 CHALLENGES, SUCCESSES AND LESSONS LEARNT 08:30 - 08:35
Opening remarks 08:35 - 09:00
India’s experience in putting the building blocks together to attain high vaccine availability
Pradeep Haldar (Ministry of Health, India) 09:05 - 09:30
New technologies and management interventions that are enabling potent vaccine availability in Nigeria
Palman Usman Mduruwa (Ministry of Health, Nigeria) 09:35 - 10:00
Directing expertise toward redesigning Pakistan’s immunization supply chain
Arshad Chandio (Ministry of Health, Pakistan) 10:05 - 10:30
Creating an enabling environment: from local to global
Alan Brooks (Gavi) 16:00 - 17:00
Exploring the opportunity for collaboration in a country context
Laura Herman, Flynn Lebus (FSG)   WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18 INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS AND APPROACHES 08:30 - 08:35
Opening remarks 08:35 - 09:00
CTC myth-busters
Moderator: Anna-Lea Kahn (WHO). Sople Ruth Coulibaly (Ministry of Health, Côte d’Ivoire), Joe Woodring (WHO WPRO) 09:05 - 09:30
Introducing new technology standards to solve immunization potency challenges
Isaac Gobina (WHO) 09:35 - 10:00
Interested in Drones? Consider this 10:05 - 10:30
The journey of continuous immunization supply chain improvement
Patrick Lydon (WHO) 16:00 - 17:00
Pitch Fest on innovations in data use and visibility
Moderator: Maeve Magner (SCM Advisory Services)   THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19 LET’S GET PRACTICAL 08:30 - 08:35
Opening remarks 08:35 - 09:00
Technical solutions alone will not solve vaccine availability: the need to create a datadriven culture
Arshad Chandio (Ministry of Health, Pakistan) 09:05 - 09:30
Uganda’s successes in improving cold chain maintenance and management
Opar Bernard Toliva (Ministry of Health, Uganda) 09:35 - 10:00
Convincing my boss to say “Yes”: How to advocate, engage, and get stakeholder buyin
Eomba Motomoke (VillageReach, Democratic Republic of the Congo), Guylain Kaya (Ministry of Health, Democratic Republic of the Congo) 10:05 - 10:30
Reframing the narrative: sustainable energy for immunization supply chain and health
Kyaw Kan Kaung (Ministry of Health, Myanmar)   FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20 COLLABORATIVE ACTION FOR IMPACT 08:30 - 09:30
From ideas to action: the way forward, together
Dmitri Davydov (UNICEF) 11:00 - 12:30
Connecting the dots – what do individuals and communities need to achieve impact?
Gobee Group 14:00 - 15:15
A Call to Action for the next generation of immunization supply chains
Moderator: Emma Stewart (PATH) 15:15 - 15:30 Closing remarks
Ousmane Dia (UNICEF), Patrick Lydon (WHO)

This report explains Shifo's approach and solution - MyChild Outreach, to strengthen outreach services to reach the fifth child and reduce equity gaps in vaccination services in rural and hard to reach areas:https://shifo.org/doc/MyChildOutreach.pdf/

Just for fun Infographic + little game on herd immunity http://vax.herokuapp.com/

Dear TechNet viewers Greetings Like many chronic diseases, whether communicable or non communicable, Tuberculosis is also an inadequately understood Vaccine Preventable Disease with frequent change in definition and treatment protocol. In the recent RNTCP quarterly review meeting, substantial gap in the operational knowledge and differences of opinion were found regarding the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST) - a traditional, simple and reasonably reliable test as a diagnostic aid for the detection of infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The results of TST are not confirmatory but reliable and corroborative in making diagnostic decision. Hence an attempt is made to present the same in the form of Questions and Answers and a one page job-aid for the TST provider as ready reckoner to be displayed at the nursing station for testing and maintaining Multi Dose Vial Policy [MDVP]. Any error in the whole process from referring the patient to the reading and interpretation of the result and decision making can make a difference of "HANG HIM NOT; LET HIM GO or HANG HIM, NOT LET HIM GO". Hope a few of the viewers will revert with +ve suggestions Regards Holla

Happy New Year to all TechNet members! I trust that the holiday season was relaxing and peaceful for all. I want to take this opportunity to thank you all for your continued participation in the forum and other areas of the website. It’s been wonderful to hear so many different voices from around the world, each demonstrating a commitment to “strengthening immunization services by sharing experiences, coordinating activities, and helping to formulate optimal policies”. TechNet is truly living up to its founding aspirations! Over the last few years, we have observed a gradual but reassuringly consistent increase in activity on the TechNet forum. In 2016, the number of replies to forum posts more than doubled from the previous year. In fact, last year was the busiest yet on the TechNet forum. The TechNet Resource Library, or TRL, has also continued to grow exponentially, and now provides a huge repository (almost 3,000 items) of journal articles, documents, tools, videos, websites, and other immunization resources. http://www.technet-21.org/en/resources/technet-resource-library In 2016, people from 186 countries visited the TechNet website. The ten countries from which most visitors came were: India, United States, Switzerland, Russia, France, United Kingdom, Nigeria, Denmark, Kenya, and Uganda. Last year, TechNet welcomed a grand total of 374 new members – more than one a day. The explosion of activity within the various private groups on TechNet has likewise reaffirmed the utility of the TechNet web platform. The Immunization Practices Advisory Committee (IPAC), Delivery Technology Working Group of IPAC, Controlled Temperature Chain (CTC) Working Group of IPAC, WHO PQS Devices Specifications Working Group, and the WHO-UNICEF Hub, all now maintain collaborative groups on the website. http://www.technet-21.org/en/network/groups We hope that in 2017 the website will continue to improve the services it offers to the immunization community. To this end, we are already planning an ambitious website redesign for later this year, as well as several new features. Improved support for non-English speakers A new Jobs and Skills portal to help members find new opportunities, and help recruiters find members with the skills and experience they are looking for Better, more professional email communication Redesigned website with a new look-and-feel and faster load times, with more engaging and dynamic content New, comprehensive resource libraries for home-based records, data visualisations and infographics, cold chain equipment manuals and training resources Full social media account integration The TechNet-21 App for Android and iPhone Exciting times ahead! In the meantime, let me wish you all a happy and prosperous New Year. The TechNet-21 Team

Since its inception in 1979, PAHO’s Immunization Newsletter has been published by the Comprehensive Family Immunization Unit of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization (WHO). Its purpose is to facilitate the exchange of ideas and information concerning immunization programs in the Region, in order to promote greater knowledge of the problems faced and their possible solutions. The Immunization Newsletter is disseminated quarterly both electronically and in print in English, Spanish and French and is widely distributed to readers all over the world. If you would like to receive the Immunization Newsletter, please send an email to immunization@paho.org and let us know what language you would like to receive. It can also be found at the following link: http://www.paho.org/immunization/newsletter

WHO and UNICEF announce the availability of Immunization eLearning Initiative courses to all consultants, partners, and staff supporting immunization.
The course series provides training in areas considered vital to EPI advancement. It will help immunization professionals to align their knowledge and get up-to-date on the latest immunization systems and protocols. The courses are highly engaging and flexible. They can be taken in any order and learners can start and stop without losing progress.
Access them by registering as a guest at https://agora.unicef.org/. (Enter “immunization” in the search window to locate the courses.)
Courses include: Immunization Supply Chain Management, Communications for Immunization, Immunization Coverage Data, and Multi-Dose Vial Policy. Courses coming soon include: Vaccine Vial Monitors, Microplanning, and Temperature Monitoring. There is also an Immunization Staff Orientation course to provide foundational knowledge.

In 2015, Roll Back Malaria (RBM) through the RBM Malaria in Pregnancy Working Group announced a Global Call to Action to increase national coverage with Intermittent Preventive Treatment of Malaria in Pregnancy. As part of this effort, the Malaria in Pregnancy Working Group developed this infographic to highlight the impact of malaria in pregnancy interventions and to encourage key stakeholders to advocate for malaria in pregnancy service delivery strengthening.
The USAID | DELIVER PROJECT is an active Malaria in Pregnancy Working Group member and is proud to share this exciting advocacy tool, which outlines the danger of malaria in pregnancy and presents the World Health Organization’s recommendations for its treatment, as well as key messages for promoting investment in malaria in pregnancy programs.
Learn more athttp://bit.ly/1TEbvsw

The theme “Close the immunization gap” continues in this year’s World Immunization Week campaign with the slogan "Immunization for all throughout life". The campaign – takes place from 24 to 30 April – aims to remind us that vaccination needs to continue throughout a person’s life.


WHO developed a campaign toolkit for partners and members of the global immunization community to help raise awareness on why immunization is necessary to protect individuals and communities from preventable diseases and to promote engagement and action locally. The toolkit contains banners, posters, key messages, a visual identity and campaign guidelines. They can be downloaded in different formats and in multilingual versions.

Three feature stories have been posted on the campaign website showcasing Nepal’s efforts to keep children safe through immunization a year after a major earthquake; Austria’s creative and innovative campaign to encourage measles vaccination among unimmunized adults; and looking towards an Ebola-free future as plans step up on how to use an Ebola vaccine in response to an outbreak. Read the news releaseand watch athe campaign video.Take the immunization quizDo check out the online quizto test your knowledge on immunization. Each of us is responsible not only for our own health and wellbeing, but also of our family members. The Week serves as a reminder to check whether you and your family have all the vaccines you need. If in doubt, ask your local healthcare provider.

Follow us:FacebookTwitter#vaccines workGoogle+

Dear colleagues, Pharmaceutical and Vaccine Quality Illustrated, compiling 730 terms, 101 photographs, 77 illustrations, 191 references, links and QR codes to 26 videos and 4 gif files is now available in PDF and ePUB3 formats from http://epela.net/illustrated/ The spectrum of this glossary goes from product development and clinical trials to legislation around regulatory functions; from manufacturing to storage and dispatch activities and to post-marketing surveillance. It covers a comprehensive list of systems, procedures, and tools used at all levels that one way or another touch the issue of “product quality”. What you have in your hand is not a simple glossary. Under many terms, in addition to their definitions, you will find additional information and perspectives on their uses. Wherever possible, tables, flowcharts, decision tables, illustrations, sketches, and photographs are included. Downloadable PDF version – with new interior design, 16.5x24 cm, 310 pages, 7 MB ISBN 978-2-9701065-0-0 ePUB3 version (fully interactive) – 20 MB (opens only with ePUB3 readers) ISBN 978-2-9701065-1-7 As for PCs, you need to download Chrome extension Readium for best results. The book may also be used online at http://epela.net/illustrated/index2.php?bolum=123. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons (CC) Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0). This license lets you reproduce, remix, tweak, and build upon this work non-commercially, as long as you credit the author and license your new creations under the identical terms. I believe in the Internet’s potential to drive a new era of development, growth, and productivity through universal access to research and education. The CC international license allows me to pursue this belief. J Vesper in his foreword refers to a risk management expert having a poster on his wall that explains why correctly defining the terms is so important: “Theorem 1. One-half of the world’s problems are caused by people using the same word for different things. Theorem 2. The other half of the world’s problems are caused by people using different words for the same thing.” I would like to thank Jim Vesper and Tom Reeves for their contribution with foreword, and Kadir Abbas for typesetting and layout, and facilitating the ePUB3 conversion. Special thanks go to Umran and Gokhan Akaalp for the website application. Hope you find it useful. Happy downloads… Cheers and all the best, UMIT

Drum-roll please! The Top Ten most popular discussions on the TechNet forum in 2015, as defined by total page-views recorded by Google Analytics, are listed below in reverse order. If you missed them first time around, there's still time to share your thoughts on these fascinating topics. Just follow the links below and (once you are signed in) enter your reply at the bottom of the page and click REPLY. Happy holidays to all and many thanks to all TechNet members for their contributions in 2015. See you in 2016! Dan Brigden 10. Refrigerated vehicles and non cold items http://www.technet-21.org/forums/refrigerated-vehicles-and-non-cold-items Started by Paul Dowling 9. Vaccination during disaster eg Earthquake? http://www.technet-21.org/forums/vaccination-during-disaster-eg-earthquake Started by Anuj Bhattachan 8. A "COMMON COLD" DILEMMA http://www.technet-21.org/forums/a-common-cold-dilemma Started by Narayana Holla 7. Vaccine Logistics Management Information System (vLMIS) http://www.technet-21.org/forums/vaccine-logistics-management-information-system-vlmis Started by Muhammad Tariq 6. VaCRO: Vaccine Clinic Reconstitution Optimizer http://www.technet-21.org/forums/vacro-vaccine-clinic-reconstitution-optimizer Started by Gian-Gabriel Garcia 5. Temperature Display http://www.technet-21.org/forums/temperature-display Started by Murat Hakan Ozturk 4. In Loving Memory of Andrew William Garnett (1943-2015), by Anthony Battersby and John Lloyd http://www.technet-21.org/forums/in-loving-memory-of-andrew-william-garnett-1943-2015-,-by-anthony-battersby-and-john-lloyd Started by Diana Chang-Blanc 3. Travelling North (-25C – 15C) http://www.technet-21.org/forums/travelling-north-25c-%E2%80%93-15c Started by Nurdin 2. PCV introduction in Cameroon, Ethiopia, Kenya and Mali had marginal impact on EPI and little to none on broader health systems. http://www.technet-21.org/forums/pcv-introduction-in-cameroon,-ethiopia,-kenya-and-mali-had-marginal-impact-on-epi-and-little-to-none-on-broader-health-systems Started by Patrick Lydon And the winner for 2015 is: 1. Cold Chain Policy vs. Cold Hard Reality: Thinking Inside the Box http://www.technet-21.org/forums/cold-chain-policy-vs-cold-hard-reality-thinking-inside-the-box Started by Chris Wright

Dear colleagues and partners, To further our collective efforts to improve immunisation and help ensure life-saving vaccines reach children everywhere, we are pleased to share with you the new Advocacy for Immunisation platform, which you can discover here:http://advocacy.vaccineswork.org. The web-based platform was developed by PATH and IVAC/Johns Hopkins University with significant input from WHO, Unicef, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and the support of many immunisation partners at global and country level. The online advocacy platform provides guidance and tools to in-country stakeholdersin developing their advocacy strategies and implementation plans in support of strengthened immunisation programmes and increased coverage and equity. The platform has been developed in response to a high demand from in-country stakeholders for advocacy capacity and skills strengthening. Itcontains self-guided tools, resources and information about advocacy and communications, vaccines and immunisation. We hope that it will be a useful tool, enabling health advocates to conduct successful immunisation advocacy efforts at national and sub-national levels. In October, this tool will also be available in French. To ensure a broad reach among all relevant stakeholders, we invite you to help us disseminate information about the platform using the attached materials. We hope that this collaborationwill continue to grow, with global and in-country partners continuing to add their best practice examples, country case-studies, toolkits,and other materials to enrich this tool. This is also a platform to share your knowledge and experiences with fellow advocates and champions. Please share your ideas for content or resources and to tell your stories of advocating for immunisation by using the feedback button on the platform or emailingACinfo@path.org. Best regards, Michel ******************************************* Chers collègues et partenaires, Afin de poursuivre nos efforts collectifs pour améliorer la vaccination et assurer que les vaccins salvateurs atteignent tous les enfants, nous sommes heureux de partager avec vous la nouvelle plateforme de Plaidoyer pour la Vaccination, que vous pouvez découvrir ici: http://advocacy.vaccineswork.org. Cette plateforme électronique a été développée par PATH et IVAC/JHU avec une participation significative de l'OMS, de l'Unicef, et Gavi, l'Alliance du Vaccin, et le soutien de nombreux partenaires de la vaccination au niveau mondial et national. La plateforme de plaidoyer en ligne fournit des conseils et des outils aux parties prenantes dans les pays pour l'élaboration de leurs stratégies de plaidoyer et de plans d’action visant à renforcer les programmes de vaccination, augmenter la couverture vaccinale et l’équité. La plateforme a été développée en réponse à une forte demande des parties prenantes pour le renforcement des capacités et des compétences en plaidoyer dans les pays. Il contient des outils, des ressources, et des informations pour «s’auto-guider» en matière de plaidoyer, communication, et sur la vaccination. Nous espérons que cet outil vous sera utile, et qu’il permettra aux agents de plaidoyer pour la santé de mener avec succès leurs efforts de plaidoyer pour la vaccination aux niveaux national et sous-national. A partir du mois d’octobre, cet outil sera également disponible en français. Afin d’assurer une large portée entre toutes les parties prenantes concernées, nous vous invitons à nous aider à diffuser les informations sur la plateforme en utilisant les pièces jointes. Nous espérons que cette collaboration continuera à croître, et que les partenaires mondiaux et dans les pays ajouteront leurs exemples de bonnes pratiques, études de cas, outils et autres matériaux pour enrichir le site. Cette plateforme permet de partager vos connaissances et expériences avec d’autres agents de plaidoyer et champions. N’hésitez pas à partager vos idées pour enrichir le contenu, ou des ressources, où encore à raconter vos histoires et expériences de plaidoyer pour la vaccination en utilisant le bouton ‘Feedback’ en pied de page de la plateforme, ou par courriel ACinfo@path.org. Meilleures salutations, Michel

Well-planned, adequately funded communications affect the success of immunization services and are particularly needed to achieve vaccination coverage goals and maintain trust in vaccines. A communications plan and its activities – such as media briefings, stakeholder engagement, and social mobilization – all should be guided by research findings, carefully planned, and systematically implemented, integrated within the overall immunization programme plan or vaccine introduction plan. To support the addition of IPV to a national immunization programme, this Communications Planning Guide offers a range of checklists, tools, templates, examples and best practices, to support the effective planning and implementation of communication activities associated with IPV and related efforts to strengthen routine services. The contents should be adapted to local contexts as applicable. The Communications Planning Guide is available through this page of the website dedicated to objective 2 of the Polio Eradication and Endgame Strategic Plan 2013-2018.

In its January 2015 meeting, the WHO Executive Board called on all Member States to accelerate preparation for a globally coordinated switch from trivalent to bivalent OPV in April 2016. The Board’s request follows the WHO SAGE announcement in October 2014 that preparations are on track for this important milestone towards achieving polio eradication. The withdrawal of OPV is a critical step within objective 2 of the Polio Eradication and Endgame Strategic Plan 2013-2018. OPV works by using live attenuated (weakened) polioviruses to stimulate an immune response against three different types of poliovirus (types 1, 2 and 3). Use of OPV has nearly eliminated polio from the planet, with the last case of wild poliovirus type 2 seen in 1999. However, on very rare occasions, in countries where immunization coverage is low, vaccine-derived polioviruses from strains initially contained in OPV can change and spread to others. To counter this potential risk, OPVs will be removed in a phased manner, starting with the replacement of trivalent OPV with bivalent OPV, the latter protecting against types 1 and 3. The introduction of IPV will also help to manage risks associated with the withdrawal of the type 2 component of trivalent OPV, and help to boost immunity to types 1 and 3. In each country, the switch is expected to occur within a two-week period. Preparations for the switch will affect every stage of the supply chain from procurement to delivery to disposal. In anticipation of the switch, TechNet subscribers are encouraged to read and familiarize themselves with the rationale for, timing, and logistical implications of this important stage in polio eradication. WHO will continue posting information about the switch on TechNet and through other relevant channels and will be available to answer questions and address issues as they arise. To learn more about the switch and access all available materials, please visit: http://www.who.int/immunization/diseases/poliomyelitis/endgame_objective2/en/ For more information, please visit our website or send an email to: polio2@who.int

About IVAC
The mission of the International Vaccine Access Center (IVAC) at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health is to accelerate global access to life-saving vaccines through the development and implementation of evidence-based policies. IVAC contributes across the vaccine value chain, focusing on the generation and interpretation of evidence and translation into policies, vaccine introduction, implementation, and optimization. Our value lies in the combination of content knowledge and domain expertise. We work collaboratively across the fields of vaccine economics, epidemiology, clinical trials, modeling, advocacy, and policy, and across viral, bacterial, and parasitic pathogens and disease syndromes.

IVAC is seeking an Advocacy & Communications Officer for its Policy, Advocacy & Communications (PA&C) team. The PA&C team conducts a variety of strategic communications, policy, and advocacy activities aimed at increasing vaccine access in low- and middle-income countries. This A&C officer would primarily support our India advocacy project focused on accelerating introduction and uptake of rotavirus, pneumococcal, and Hib vaccines in India as part of a comprehensive approach to diarrhea and pneumonia control. The A&C officer will be responsible for developing a portfolio of materials that translate the evidence base for vaccines into messages and materials tailored for a variety of audiences, particularly developing country decision makers. In addition, the A&C officer would support other communications efforts and assist across the PA&C team as needed.

Responsibilities

Develop a portfolio of evidence-based materials including fact sheets, slides, brochures, talking points, messaging documents, etc. that translate technical concepts and published literature into messages for diverse audiences ranging from policy makers to the general public
Facilitate review of advocacy and media materials by technical experts to ensure messages are scientifically accurate but easy to understand
Review and summarize the latest vaccine research, news, and events that support IVAC’s efforts
Research, write and edit content for blogs, newsletters, websites and external media pieces
Identify and monitor scheduled project deliverables, milestones, and required tasks
Provide additional support to the PA&C team as needed

Qualifications
[list]
Masters degree in public health and 1-3 years of experience (or bachelor’s degree and 5 years of experience)
Knowledge of vaccines, pneumonia, diarrhea and other major global infectious diseases as well as understanding of basic epidemiologic and statistical concepts
Strong verbal and written communication skills as well as excellent interpersonal skills; demonstrated ability to write in a clear and organized fashion and translate technical concepts for lay audiences
Knowledge and experience of global health policy preferred
Communications, advocacy or journalism experience preferred
Highly organized and detail-oriented
Self-motivated and able to work well independently
Demonstrated problem solving and analytic skills
Ability to manage multiple projects successfully, and perhaps under tight deadlines
Available for overseas travel up to 15%

Interested applicants should apply here: https://hrnt.jhu.edu/jhujobs/job_view.cfm?view_req_id=62890&view=sch

Many thanks to Tasnim Partapuri for directing our attention here! UNICEF developed the Meena Communication Initiative (MCI) as a mass communication project aimed at changing perceptions and behaviour that hamper the survival, protection and development of girls in South Asia. Following eight years of extensive research in the region since the initial conceptualization, UNICEF launched the Meena Communication Initiative in September 1998. The name Meena is one that spans the different cultures in the region, and a cast of carefully researched characters has been created for Meena's family and community. The Meena stories are entertaining and fun, but also reflect the realities of girls' lives in South Asia. The stories revolve around the adventures of Meena, her brother Raju, her pet parrot Mithu, and members of her family and village community. The stories cover issues such as education, health, gender equity, freedom from exploitation and abuse. (http://www.unicef.org/rosa/media_2511.htm) Christian Clark writes in the Animation World Magazine (Meena Comes To A Store Near You): "The Meena initiative is also a radical departure from traditional communication projects in the non-profit sector. It has been designed to be ultimately self-financing. ... To put it into an animation industry perspective, the foundation will operate something like the U.S.-based Children's Television Workshop which produces the popular children's television show Sesame Street. One key difference: instead of promoting numeracy and literacy, the Meena project will promote girls' rights and excellence in children's media in the region. ... To sustain such an ambitious project, UNICEF, for the first time in the United Nation's history, is planning to "commercialize" a project. Merchandising and licensing the Meena brand, syndicating the animated programs, as well as local sponsorships and "tie-ups," are all expected to come on-stream after the launch. The project is taking a long term commercial view, for it is recognized that changing the societal position and view of female children is a long-term endeavor." Among the comic books and films is one on immunization: Baby Rani's Four Visits - The importance of EPI (immunization) Rosa-meena-baby-ranis-four-visits.pdf