Workshop on Deployment of Influenza A(H1N1) Vaccine in a Pandemic in the Pacific
Place: Nadi, Fiji
Date: 19 Oct, 2009 - 23 Oct, 2009
A Workshop on Deployment of Influenza A (H1N1) Vaccine in a Pandemic in the Pacific took place in Nadi, Fiji, from 19 to 23 October 2009. The objectives of the workshop were: (1) to introduce regulatory and operational frameworks and guidelines for rapid vaccine deployment; and (2) to prepare draft outlines of influenza A (H1N1) vaccine deployment plans and time frames for their finalization by each participating country and area as part of a national influenza pandemic response framework. The structure of the workshop was based on the eight areas emphasized in the global guidelines for the deployment of a pandemic influenza vaccine. These are: (1) introduction; (2) managing deployment efforts; (3) legal and regulatory planning issues; (4) information and communications management; (5) human resources and security; (6) supply-chain logistic processes; (7) managing waste; and (8) termination of deployment. In addition, vaccination strategies, injection safety and waste management, public information, and post-market surveillance, were discussed. Under each of the eight areas, two sessions were organized, including lecture and group work. Group work consisted of group discussions and individual country plan development under direct guidance and assistance from resource persons. Country participants were provided with a template of a national deployment plan and planning tool. At the end of the workshop, country provisional plans were drafted and reviewed with comments provided by the facilitators. The country participants were expected to finalize the plans when they returned to their countries. The participants were recommended to do the following:(1) officially brief their national pandemic influenza preparedness committee (or taskforce) about this workshop and next steps to be taken; (2) work closely with the members of the national pandemic influenza preparedness committee to finalize and endorse the national pandemic H1N1 vaccine deployment plans as soon as possible; and (3) submit the national pandemic H1N1 vaccine deployment plan to WHO by 9 November 2009.