title: Immunization safety priority project at the World Health Organization.
abstract: In 1999, the World Health Organization's (WHO) Department of Vaccines and Biologicals launched the Immunization Safety Priority Project with the aim of establishing a comprehensive system to ensure the safety of all immunizations given in national immunization programs. Countries are the primary focus of the project. WHO has a role, not only because of its technical and normative role, but also because of its privileged relationship with country authorities and other partners, and its global vision and mandate. The four major areas of focus in the project are to (1) promote and coordinate research and development of safer and simpler delivery systems; (2) ensure vaccine safety, from vaccine development all the way through clinical trials and vaccine distribution until use; (3) broaden access to safer and more efficient systems for vaccine delivery and management of sharps waste; and (4) establish efficient mechanisms to detect serious or potentially serious adverse events following immunization, and enable prompt and effective response. The project emphasizes the importance of advocating safety and building capacity at national levels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Vaccines and Biologicals, Health Technology and Pharmaceuticals, World Health Organization-Geneva, 20 Avenue Appia, CH-1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland. duclosp@who.int
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Duclos
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Delo
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Aguado
authors.forename: Julian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bilous
authors.forename: Maureen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Birmingham
authors.forename: Marie Paule
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Kieny
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Milstien
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wood
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tarantola
mesh_terms: D026683:Advisory Committees; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs; D007391:International Cooperation; D017744:Medical Waste Disposal; D011358:Product Surveillance, Postmarketing; D012449:Safety; D014611:Vaccination / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D014612:Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards; D014944:World Health Organization
chemical_list: D017744:Medical Waste Disposal; D014612:Vaccines