Hello, please check out recent feedback from the Immunization and vaccines related implementation research advisory committee (IVIR-AC) on the newly-launched WHO Market Information for Access Initiative (MI4A) and methodology: "The initiative is providing a valuable public good that could shape markets and ultimately save lives if greater transparency and less information asymmetry generally lead to more efficient markets." View the full IVIR-AC recommendations in the current edition of WHO's Weekly Epidemiological Record: https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/312312/WER9419.pdf MI4A provides a unique global perspective on vaccine markets, covering all countries and vaccines with objectives to: Enhance the understanding of global vaccine demand, supply and pricing dynamics and identifying affordability and shortage risks; Convene all relevant global health partners to contribute to the development of policies, strategies, and guidance to address the identified risks; Strengthen national and regional capacity for improved access to vaccines supply. For more information on MI4A please see: www.who.int/immunization/MI4A Tania

The V3P project aims at collecting, publishing and analysing vaccine product and price information. This year, 40 countries have shared data with V3P. Combining information shared by countries, PAHO and UNICEF, the database provides price information on more than 170 vaccines. If you wonder about the price range of vaccines in various income groups, if you would like to know more about the evolution of vaccine prices overtime, if you are currently working on budgeting and financing and would like to use real and current prices for your analyses: come check out the new V3P price database. To access the database, click on the link to the V3P web platform: www.who.int/immunization/v3p, and then follow “Price database” and “Database reports and analyses”. Please feel free to share any comment or question on V3P and vaccine pricing on this forum or at: v3p-project@who.int.

Over the past few years a lot of investment was made to collect vaccine price information through the V3P project. We are happy to announce that V3P now has data available from 25 countries. Please find below a link to the available data. http://www.who.int/immunization/programmes_systems/procurement/v3p/platform/database/en/ The V3P web platform provides access to both: the raw data: vaccine type, doses per vial, manufacturer, year, annual volume of doses procured, price per dose (USD), incoterms, procurement mechanism, length of contract, source of funding, method of payment some analyses: price sharing by WHO region, WAP by manufacturers and income group, price ranges by income, price ranges by procurement mechanism, price by volume Price information is currently provided mainly by European countries, but we hope to have similar participation from other regions in the medium term. We expect the next round of data inflow to take place between April and end of June, and to cover additional price variables.

Background: Over the past few years, WHO has been engaged in monitoring of vaccine prices to facilitate a global dialogue with partners and countries on the issue of vaccine price and to promote improved availability and quality of information. In September 2011, WHO started working on the BMGF funded Vaccine Product, Price and Procurement (V3P) initiative aiming at improving country understanding of vaccine markets and enhancing country negotiation and procurement skills. The initiative provides a comprehensive platform on vaccine product, price and procurement information designed to provide reliable, accurate and neutral information mainly for self-procuring Low-Income and Middle-Income Countries. An extensive array of partners has generously contributed to this initiative, such as UNICEF, PAHO, GAVI, CHAI, HAI, MSF, MSH, and PATH. The V3P initiative also works through a comprehensive platform consisting of three modules: - Module 1 (the V3P database) contains information on vaccine prices and procurement modalities provided by participating countries and partners, including PAHO Revolving Fund and UNICEF. - Module 2 contains documents produced by and for the V3P mechanism, including user guidelines and information material on vaccine prices. - Module 3 is a web portal, listing links to websites of organizations and sources which provide additional pertinent information on vaccine related issues. While the years 2011-2013 have been focused mainly on the assessment of country needs, stakeholder consultations and development of an appropriate information-sharing mechanism, the V3P initiative is now shifting its focus to engaging countries to share information, including through collaboration with key partners. Objectives of the work to be performed: The consultant will develop a communication plan for the V3P initiative and the necessary information tools to implement the plan. This includes the following areas of work: - Drafting of a communication plan to support the V3P initiative, including the identification of key audiences, messages and tactics for engaging countries and partners - Review and revision of content for the V3P website - Development of a range of supporting materials, including briefing notes, presentations, posters and leaflets - Consultation with WHO stakeholders and other key partners on the above plan and materials - Coordination of any translations and printing of materials as needed. Timeframe: The consultant will carry out the above mentioned functions in 40 working days over the months of July-September 2014. The consultant would ideally be based in Geneva, but other options are also possible. Qualifications/Requirements: At least 10 years of experience in communication in the area of public health, ideally with some experience in immunization. Advanced university degree in Public Health, Communications, Media, Social Sciences, Economics, Finance, Development, Public Health or related fields. Remuneration: Pay rate will be defined according to the level of expertise of the selected candidate. Relocation support will not be available for this position. Should you wish to apply, kindly send your CV and a short cover letter at cernuschit@who.int

by Miloud Kaddar, WHO/IVB and Sarah Schmitt, Consultant The World Health Organization (WHO) recently launched a new project to address the need for reliable, accurate, and neutral vaccine product, price, and procurement information among countries newly graduating from GAVI Alliance (GAVI) support and other lower-middle-income countries. The goal of the Vaccine Product, Price, and Procurement (V3P) project is to increase the availability of key data and information, particularly to assist countries in making informed and evidence-based decisions on sustainable vaccine introduction. The need for such a project was recently documented in a Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation-funded study cosponsored by WHO and conducted by the Results for Development Institute on new vaccine adoption by lower-middle-income countries. The study showed that lower-middle-income countries are lagging behind high-income and donor-supported low-income countries in the sustainable introduction of new and priority vaccines. To address these issues, investigators proposed twelve high-priority, actionable recommendations, nine of which were related to vaccine price and procurement. WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts reviewed the study in November 2010 and recommended that WHO lead further investigations and interventions in the areas of vaccine price and procurement information. In January 2011, WHO hosted a meeting of experts, stakeholders, and partners to determine what actions could be taken to sustain and improve the uptake of new vaccines in countries graduating from GAVI support and other lower-middle-income countries. The group of experts reached a consensus that countries need information on vaccine pricing, product attributes and presentations, and possible procurement approaches to foster better immunization procurement practices and provide secure budgeting and sustainable financing for immunization. Funded by the Gates Foundation, the V3P project will be conducted over the next three years to identify, develop, and establish the most appropriate and comprehensive method(s), mechanism(s), and/or tool(s) to provide countries with accurate, reliable, and useful data on vaccine product, price, and procurement. The first year of the project will focus on information gathering regarding the specific needs of target countries and consulting with partners and stakeholders on the best possible approaches. The analysis phase will culminate in a proposal for tools or mechanisms that will be shared with the stakeholders for input and agreement. The second year will be spent developing, refining, and testing the product before implementation, which will occur in year three. The V3P project will benefit from the advice and knowledge of a steering committee made up of experts and other stakeholders to ensure wide consultation, appropriate guidance, inclusion of diverse viewpoints, and buy-in for the project. The working team for the project will be headed by Miloud Kaddar, group leader and health economist at WHO (kaddarm@who.int) and Sarah Schmitt, lead consultant (schmitt_sl@hotmail.com). The working team will bring together the expertise of a wide range of partners and consultants including the GAVI Alliance, the United Nations Children’s Fund, the Pan American Health Organization, PATH, internal WHO collaborators, and other related synergistic initiatives funded by the Gates Foundation. The V3P project will benefit from and contribute to the ongoing activities and projects related to new vaccine introduction and decision-making, product attributes and preferences, supply chain management, regulation, prequalification, immunization planning, cofinancing after GAVI graduation, and other financing options. The ultimate goal of the V3P project is to build a collaborative, functional, and valuable source of vaccine product, price, and procurement data and information that is available to and appropriately used by countries to aid informed decision-making on the sustainable implementation of new and priority vaccines. To comment or reply to this article, click “reply.”