Abstract
In preparation for the first Global Vaccinology Training workshop in 2018, a survey of 27 advanced vaccinology courses was conducted to provide a landscape of the vaccinology education around the world. Advanced vaccinology courses have expanded dramatically over the last 20 years, with courses located in almost all regions, but with underrepresentation amongst the Eastern part of the European region, the Eastern Mediterranean and the Western Pacific regions. Most courses are of short duration (<2 weeks), have a global or regional reach, and attract a diverse range of participants from high, middle and low-income countries with representation from public health, academia, industry and less often regulators. Lack of sustainable funding and time commitments of faculty and coordinators is a constraint for most vaccinology courses and needs to be addressed. Continuation and extension of training in vaccinology worldwide will be necessary as increasing number of new and more complex vaccines are introduced, vaccine safety concerns and rumors continue their trend, and reemergence of some vaccine-preventable diseases will require a competent workforce to advance and deploy immunizations to larger populations.
Highlights
For over a century, immunization has been one of the best recognized and most effective and equitable public health interventions to decrease morbidity and mortality from infectious diseases around the world
Of the 26 advanced vaccinology courses, 14 (53.8%) reported targeting global, 8 (30.8%) regional, and 4 (15.4%) national audiences
Given that most of vaccinology training is aimed at postgraduate participants, 11 (42.3%) are delivered in one-week and 6 (23.1%) in a two-week period
Summary
Immunization has been one of the best recognized and most effective and equitable public health interventions to decrease morbidity and mortality from infectious diseases around the world. Optimizing the development, implementation and effectiveness and safety of immunization requires a well-trained work force. Education in vaccinology is a cornerstone strategy to strengthen the development of vaccines, and their deployment, assessment of safety, effectiveness and uptake evaluation [3]. Applied vaccinology would involve the application of basic knowledge and practical solutions to the development of effective vaccination programs suitable for particular population groups” [4,5]. The need for advanced education in vaccinology as one means to strengthen the immunization workforce around the world was recognized by a group of vaccinology experts in 1999, and materialized as the first Advanced Vaccinology Course (ADVAC) in 2000 [6]. Academic centers, foundations dedicated to the advancement of vaccines, as well as policy makers have organized advanced vaccinology courses in different regions of the world with the aim of enhancing the education in vaccinology of researchers, clinicians, educators, regulators, manufacturers and public health officials
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
