Dakar, Senegal – On October 10, 2024, the Institut Pasteur de Dakar will host the scientific conference “Challenges and Perspectives of the Vaccination System in Sub-Saharan Africa.”
This issue is of paramount importance for the African population, especially in light of the challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which highlighted the gaps and vulnerabilities in health systems. It is essential to develop innovative strategies to strengthen vaccination systems and effectively protect communities against preventable diseases.
Dr. Elliot Fara Nandrasana RAKOTOMANANA, PhD, Head of the Health & Social Sciences team at the Institut Pasteur de Madagascar and coordinator of the SHS Africa Alliance project, states :
“This conference represents a crucial step in rethinking and revitalizing our vaccination systems to ensure better protection for our populations against epidemics. Experts and key stakeholders in the health sector will come together to discuss critical vaccination challenges in the region.”
The event will bring together researchers, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and civil society representatives to address accessibility and acceptability challenges of vaccination services in sub-Saharan Africa. Discussions will focus on local solutions to strengthen the vaccination system in the context of health crises while emphasizing initiatives aimed at improving public trust in vaccination programs.
Dr. Karell PELLE, PhD, Head of the Health System Strengthening Division and project coordinator at the Institut Pasteur de Dakar, explains:
“At the Institut Pasteur de Dakar, we have been aware of these issues for several years now. We are working to strengthen African health systems through research, training, vaccine production, diagnostics, and epidemiological surveillance. We adopt a multidisciplinary approach, including social sciences, to develop sustainable solutions with communities and protect populations from endemic, emerging, and re-emerging pathogens. This conference will be an opportunity to share our expertise and also learn from others.”
This conference is part of the SHS Africa Alliance project, which aims to enhance the capacity of African health institutes to respond to epidemic crises by integrating social and cultural dimensions into their interventions.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The SHS Africa Alliance Project, coordinated by the Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, is funded by the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE) through the Solidarity Fund for Innovative Projects (FSPI). For more information about the project, please visit: Project Informations.
Here are the links to register or follow the event scheduled for October 10, 2024, at CARE, Institut Pasteur de Dakar Inscription and Live streaming .
PRESS CONTACTS:
Marie Vianey AFANGBEDJI, Senior Communication Manager
Institut Pasteur de Dakar
Email: marievianey.afangbedji@pasteur.sn
Tel: +221 77 835 46 43
Asma Bouzekri, Communication Officer for the SHS Africa Alliance Project
Email: alliance.shs.afrique@pasteur.utm.tn
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