11th AAVC

VACFA successfully conducted the five day 11th annual African vaccinology course in Cape Town, from 9-13 November 2015. This course is a popular training opportunity for African residents wanting to gain a detailed insight in the field of vaccinology. For the last 11 years in total, about 1000 participants from almost all African countries have been trained at the course. The vaccinology course is intended to enhance knowledge on vaccinology to immunization programme managers and health workers, as well as basic scientists involved in vaccination programs and/or vaccines research within the African continent.

Prof. Gregory Hussey, the course convener, gave an introductory talk regarding the course and VACFA’s role in building vaccinology expertise on the continent.

The VACFA’s 11th AAVC covered broad vaccinology themes on most of the WHO-EPI recommended vaccines, underutilized vaccines as well as future vaccines targeted for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria. Participants were taught on the importance of strong communication skills and best practices of engaging with the media.

Prof Tania Douglas, the Deputy Dean for Research, at the Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Cape Town, officially welcomed the participants at a cocktail function on the 9th November 2015. To the participants, Prof Tania highlighted the importance of developing vaccinology expertise and research capacity to deal with current and future immunization challenges facing Africa. During the cocktail function, Dr. Benjamin Kagina, the course co-convener, thanked the participants, organizers and the sponsors for making the event a reality.

Seventy three (73) participants (including 7 from VACFA’s partnering sponsors) participated during the 11th AAVC. Seven participants from different National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups (NITAGs) were also among the 73 participants. The NITAGs attendees were sponsored by the Supporting National Independent Immunization and Vaccine Advisory Committees (SIVAC) Initiative.

Page created on 22 June 2016

Page last updated on 23 March 2017