WHO action plan update to be presented at Doha meet

An update of World Health Organisation’s action plan for the “Decade of Vaccines” focusing on the global status of immunisation will be presented at a conference to be held in Qatar from December 4-7.

The presentation will be made by Dr Thomas Cherian, WHO’s programme and impact monitoring co-ordinator, Excellence in Paediatrics Institute announced yesterday.

The conference is being sponsored by Sidra Medical and Research Centre, a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development.

The global vaccine action plan (GVAP) was endorsed by the 194 member-states of the WHO in 2012 to achieve the ‘Decade of Vaccines’ vision by delivering universal access to immunisation. The GVAP’s mission is to improve health by extending the full benefits of immunisation to all people, regardless of where they are born, who they are or where they live by 2020.

If the GVAP is translated into action and resources are mobilised, 24.6-25.8mn deaths could be averted by the end of the decade, billions of dollars in productivity will be gained, and immunisation will greatly contribute to achieving the Millennium Development Goal target to reduce by two-thirds the under-five mortality rate, the institute said.

The GVAP builds on the Global Immunisation Vision and Strategy 2006–2015, the United Nation’s Millennium Declaration and the UN Secretary-General’s Global Strategy for Women and Children’s Health.

Developing the plan has brought together multiple stakeholders involved in immunisation, including the leadership of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundations, GAVI Alliance, Unicef and US National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases.

All partners, including governments and elected officials, health professionals, academia, manufacturers, global agencies, development partners, civil society, media and the private sector, are committed to achieving the ambitious goals of GVAP.

Sidra, who has been working to improve the provision of healthcare for women and children in Qatar, region and internationally, supports the goals of GVAP.

“At Sidra, the focus is not only on ensuring an unparalleled patient experience within the hospital, but improving the individual’s overall wellbeing before they even arrive at our doors. Vaccination is essential in disease prevention and I am looking forward to Dr Cherian’s update on WHO’s action plan for the Decade of Vaccines,” Sidra’s chief medical officer Dr Edward Ogata said.