A regional training workshop on vaccines store management took place in Alexandria, Egypt between 26 November- 1 December 2011 to update the participants on the new techniques in vaccine management that will enable them to adjust their national polices; train the participants on the correct procedures of the cold chain and vaccine management systems; and provide hands- on training in critical and important aspects of vaccine management. Meeting full report
An intercountry meeting on measles control and elimination took place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates between 17-19 October 2011 to review and follow up on the progress in implementing the strategic plan for measles elimination; review achievements of measles surveillance indicators targets; review measles elimination validation process in the countries near elimination; and review and update the national plans for strengthening measles elimination and control programme. Meeting full report
The 18th meeting of the eastern Mediterranean regional working group on the global alliance for vaccines and immunization (GAVI) took place in Khartoum, Sudan between 17-18 September 2011 to review country progress in implementing GAVI process related to the different windows in order to reach the goals; identify weaknesses and gaps and recommend corrective measures; agree on country needed technical assistance in order to adequately implement the GAVI process; and enhance the collaborative approach of EPI and health system strengthening. Meeting full report
Training workshop on comprehensive multiyear plan for countries of the eastern Mediterranean region took place in Khartoum, Sudan between 11-15 September 2011 to provide training to the national EPI managers and EPI finance officers from countries of the eastern Mediterranean region on developing comprehensive multiyear plan for immunization programme. Meeting full report
Regional workshop for reviewing country experiences in H1N1 pandemic influenza vaccine deployment and vaccination activities took place in Beirut Lebanon between 12-14 May 2011 to share experiences among countries in the EM region; identify challenges, lessons learned and successes in implementation of deployment and vaccination plans considering lessons learnt during the H1N1 2009 pandemic; and develop a roadmap of actions to ensure integration of NVDPs into the national pandemic preparedness and response plans. Full meeting report
An intercountry meeting on measles control/elimination took place in Sharm El Sheikh Egypt between 4-6 December 2010 to review and follow up on the progress of the member states in implementing measles/rubella elimination/control; review measles case based surveillance and measles lab surveillance network; discuss new advances and strategies related to measles and rubella elimination/control; review and update the national plans for strengthening measles/rubella elimination and control programme; and review measles elimination validation process. Meeting full report
The first regional workshop on the new effective vaccine management assessment tool took place in Cairo Egypt between 30 October and 4 November 2010 to build the national resources of trained immunization logisticians to have the necessary skills to conduct a systematic review of an immunization supply chain and develop and evidence- based improvement plan using the methodologies promoted by the effective vaccine management (EVM) approach. Meeting full report
The 17th meeting of the eastern Mediterranean regional working group on the global alliance for vaccines and immunization (GAVI) took place in Alexandria, Egypt between 15-16 October 2010 to review country progress in implementing GAVI process related to the different windows in order to reach the goals; identify weaknesses and gaps and recommend corrective measures; agree on country need technical assistance in order to adequately implement the GAVI process; and enhance the collaborative approach of EPI and health system strengthening. Meeting full report
The 26th intercountry meeting of national mangers of the expanded program on immunization and second meeting of the national immunization technical advisory group(NITAG) took place in Cairo, Egypt between 4-7 July 2010 to review national and regional progress in EPI achievements, constraints and way forward; discuss recent advances in new vaccines and technologies: progress and constraints and the challenges facing their use; discuss progress towards polio eradication: achievements constrains and way forward; and brief NITAG chairperson on progress and constraints facing EPI and the expected role of NITAG for supporting EPI. Meeting full report
