To enable countries to effectively tackle managerial problems encountered in their vaccine programme, a subregional vaccine management training course was jointly held by WHO and the Ministry of Health of Oman, in Muscat, from 10 to 14 June 2006. Participants from member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Afghanistan, Islamic Republic of Iran, Pakistan, Sudan, Somalia and Yemen were trained on how to expand their programmes to increase access, introduce new vaccines and establish a control system that ensures all vaccines reach recipients in optimal condition.

The choice of Oman for this training was both logical and appropriate. Oman has an unbeatable track record in maintaining high population coverage rate by quality vaccine services delivered through a well-managed Expanded Programme on Immunization system. This is the fourth training programme conducted by the Ministry of Health Vaccine Management Training Centre under the Global Training Network.

In 2003, the Ministry of Health of Oman was honoured with the first-ever WHO/UNICEF certification on cold store management, which bears testimony to its efficient vaccine programme.