title: Developing vaccinology expertise for Africa: six years and counting.
abstract: There exists high quality evidence showing that interactive educational meetings and workshops can improve healthcare worker performance. This evidence formed the basis for establishing the annual African Vaccinology Course in 2005 at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. The course, which is designed to develop vaccinology expertise for Africa, covers relevant basic sciences pertaining to vaccine-preventable diseases such as epidemiology, immunology and microbiology; discusses specific vaccine-preventable diseases; provides information on vaccine safety, vaccination strategies and evaluation of vaccines; discusses new vaccines in the pipeline; and promotes vaccine advocacy. We hope that course alumni would become strong advocates for childhood immunisation in their respective countries. Such dedicated advocacy should contribute to reducing the time gap between the development of new vaccines and the formulation of policies enabling their introduction in African countries, as well as contributing to more equitable increase in immunisation coverage in our continent.
authors: Vaccines for Africa Initiative, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa. charles.wiysonge@uct.ac.za
authors: Charles Shey
authors: CS
authors: Wiysonge
authors: Zainab
authors: Z
authors: Waggie
authors: Hassan
authors: H
authors: Mahomed
authors: Anthony
authors: A
authors: Hawkridge
authors: Mark
authors: M
authors: Hatherill
authors: Willem A
authors: WA
authors: Hanekom
authors: Gregory D
authors: GD
authors: Hussey
mesh_terms: D000349:Africa; D003140:Communicable Disease Control; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000592:standards; D009313:National Health Programs; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014612:Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D014612:Vaccines