title: Inaugural conference of the International Association of Immunization Managers (IAIM), Istanbul Turkey, 3-4 March 2015.
abstract: For more than 35 years, most national immunization programs have established managerial structures and processes for delivering vaccination services to their populations. These days, immunization managers are facing an increasing number of challenges due to the introduction of new vaccines, shifting demographic patterns, complex networks of service providers, and maintaining the gains achieved with previous vaccination efforts. To confront these challenges, better program performance will require better managerial practices, which incorporates new technologies. To that end, the International Association of Immunization Managers (IAIM) is the first global professional association launched to promote superior leadership and management skills among health professionals involved with vaccination efforts worldwide. From 3 to 4 March 2015, approximately 132 members from 70 countries representing six regions, gathered in Istanbul, Turkey for the inaugural conference of IAIM. In the two-day program, members selected thirteen peers to constitute the Governing Council. The 12 articles of the bylaws of the Association were also ratified. This conference was a forum for sharing managerial best practices through networking sessions, breakout sessions, and presentations. Members also learned about IAIM sponsored training opportunities to deepen their managerial competencies through peer-to-peer exchanges and scholarship training programs. We believe that the IAIM inaugural conference was an appropriate platform for equipping managers with tools and professional network of peers to support them in achieving national, regional and global immunization goals, including those of the Global Vaccine Action Plan of the World Health Organization.
authors.affiliation: International Association of Immunization Managers, Secretariat Sabin Vaccine Institute, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Carrasco
authors.affiliation: International Association of Immunization Managers, Secretariat Sabin Vaccine Institute, Washington, DC, USA; Hospital Infantil de Mexico, Federico Gomez, Mexico City, Mexico. Electronic address: carlos.franco.paredes@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Franco-Paredes
authors.affiliation: International Association of Immunization Managers, Secretariat Sabin Vaccine Institute, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: Jon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Andrus
authors.affiliation: International Association of Immunization Managers, Secretariat Sabin Vaccine Institute, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: Katie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Waller
authors.affiliation: International Association of Immunization Managers, Secretariat Sabin Vaccine Institute, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Maassen
authors.affiliation: International Association of Immunization Managers, Secretariat Sabin Vaccine Institute, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: Emi
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Symenouh
authors.affiliation: International Association of Immunization Managers, Secretariat Sabin Vaccine Institute, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: Gabrielle
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hafalia
mesh_terms: D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000379:methods*; D004493:Education / Q000458:organization & administration; D014943:Global Health; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000458:organization & administration*
keywords: Competencies; Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP); Immunization; International Association Immunization Managers (IAIM); Management; Managers; Roles; Skills; Vaccination