The Ministry of Public Health hosts the International Vaccine Council meeting, elevating “Leptospirosis” to the world stage, proposing to include it as a neglected tropical disease by WHO.

The Ministry of Public Health of Thailand hosted the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) Council meeting. “Phalad Opas”, as the first IVI Council President, headed the meeting with representatives from 12 countries to elevate “Leptospirosis” on the world stage, proposing its inclusion in the WHO’s list of neglected tropical diseases. They also discussed vaccine plans in Africa after facing problems with monkeypox, major outbreaks of dengue fever, and a shortage of cholera vaccines. The aim is to create equal access to vaccines worldwide.

September 23, 2024 at Montien Hotel, Surawong, Bangkok. Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health as the Chairman of the CouncilInternational Vaccine Institute (International Vaccine Institute : IVI) was the first to be the president.2024 International Vaccine Institute Council Meeting (IVI Global Council 2024) whichMinistry of Public Health, Thailand Hosting the conference on 23-24 September 2024

With Dr. Jerome Kim The International Vaccine Institute (IVI) Director General, Mr. George Bickerstaff, Chairperson of the IVI Board of Trustees, Mr. Anders Nordström, Chairperson of the IVI Global Advisory Group of Experts, and representatives from 60 IVI member countries from 12 countries attended.

Dr. Opas said that the meeting acknowledged the IVI’s special report on the vaccine action plan in Africa, which emphasized the ongoing health emergencies, such as the resurgence of monkeypox, the world’s largest dengue fever outbreak, and the shortage of cholera vaccines. In addition, the IVI member countries’ vaccine guidelines and strategies and the management of the current global health emergencies were presented, including prevention and control of monkeypox and the elevation of the importance of leptospirosis on the global stage, covering both prevention and control of leptospirosis, with the idea of ​​pushing for leptospirosis to be included in the WHO List of Neglected Tropical Diseases (WHO NTD List).

“As the first President of the IVI Council, I am committed to fostering effective and fruitful collaboration between countries and organizations. A key priority is to build vaccine R&D capacity in all regions, especially resource-constrained countries, to achieve equitable access to vaccines worldwide and strengthen health systems in developing countries. Working with organizations and building strong global networks is essential to effectively achieve these goals,” said Dr. Opas.

The International Vaccine Institute (IVI) is a non-profit international organization founded in 1997 at the initiative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Its mission is to find, develop and deliver safe, effective and affordable vaccines to control disease outbreaks and save lives. IVI’s track record includes conducting clinical vaccine research and developing vaccines for infectious diseases affecting low- and middle-income countries, such as cholera, typhoid fever, chikungunya, shigella, salmonella, schizoaffective disorder, hepatitis E, human papillomavirus (HPV), and COVID-19. IVI is headquartered in Seoul, Republic of Korea, and has a European Office in Sweden, an African Office in Rwanda, a country office in Austria, and a country office in Kenya.