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. 2021 Mar 29:38:313.
doi: 10.11604/pamj.2021.38.313.26744. eCollection 2021.

Developing vaccinology expertise for Africa: fifteen years and counting

Edina Amponsah-Dacosta  1 , Rudzani Muloiwa  1   2 , Charles Shey Wiysonge  1   3 , Michael Gold  4 , Gregory Hussey  1   5 , Benjamin Mugo Kagina  1
Affiliations

Developing vaccinology expertise for Africa: fifteen years and counting

Edina Amponsah-Dacosta et al. Pan Afr Med J. .

Abstract

For 15 years, the Annual African Vaccinology Course (AAVC) hosted by the Vaccines for Africa Initiative, has been at the forefront of vaccinology training in Africa. The AAVC was developed in 2005 in response to the growing demand for vaccinology training in Africa. To date, 958 policy makers, immunization managers, public and private health practitioners, scientists, postgraduate and postdoctoral students have been trained. These participants are from 44 of the 54 African countries. The course content covers diverse topics such as considerations for new vaccine introduction, mathematical modelling, and emerging and re-emerging vaccine preventable diseases. As the landscape of vaccinology continues to evolve, the AAVC aims to expand the reach of vaccinology training using blended learning approaches which will incorporate online and face-to-face formats, while expanding access to this popular course. Ultimately, the AAVC endeavours to develop a big pool of vaccinology expertise in Africa and to strengthen regional ownership for immunization programmes.

Keywords: Child health; health education and promotion; immunization; public health; vaccines.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
origin of participants of the Annual African Vaccinology Course between 2011 and 2019
Figure 2
Figure 2
affiliations of faculty members of the Annual African Vaccinology Course between 2011 and 2019
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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