CHANDIGARH,*12-06-2025*The fourth day of the 4th Postgraduate International Vaccinology Course (PGIVAC 2025) brought together national and international experts to discuss the complexities of integrating vaccines into national immunization programs, with a focus on policy-making, health systems strengthening, and innovative solutions.
The day opened with Dr. Narendra K. Arora, Executive Director of The INCLEN Trust International, presenting on the vital role of evidence in policy-making, outlining how robust data can shape national immunisation strategies. Participants also gained insights into real-world policy implementation from Dr. Pawan Kumar, Additional Commissioner at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, who presented a comprehensive overview of India’s Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP), highlighting its scale, policy mechanisms, and digital innovations. He also addressed recent advancements, including typhoid surveillance, zero-dose strategies, and vaccine introduction protocols backed by strong governance and IT-driven systems. Dr. Jacob John from Christian Medical College, Vellore, who emphasised the importance of disease burden assessment in guiding vaccine decisions, while Dr. Brian Wahl from Yale School of Public Health discussed methods for assessing the burden of vaccine-preventable diseases, providing practical approaches for translating scientific data into impactful health policies. Dr. Arindam Ray, India Country Lead for Immunisation and Surveillance at the Gates Foundation, shared his experiences in integrating newer vaccines into national programs, emphasising the need for health systems strengthening to improve vaccine coverage and equity. The afternoon sessions featured inspiring experience-sharing presentations from global leaders. Dr. Abhiyan Gautam, EPI Manager from Nepal, discussed the successful rollout of HPV vaccination in Nepal, while Dr. Samitha Ginige from Sri Lanka highlighted his nation’s achievements in reducing vaccine-preventable diseases. Dr. Suresh Dalpath from the William J. Clinton Foundation provided valuable insights into reaching zero-dose and under-vaccinated children in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Innovation was a key theme of the day, with Dr. Raj Shankar Ghosh discussing the latest immunisation advancements, including new technologies. It was followed by Dr. Santosh Ramesh Taur from Pfizer, who highlighted recent breakthroughs in vaccine platforms and the One Health approach to vaccine development. Dr. Jeffrey Cannon from the Telethon Kids Institute in Australia concluded this segment with a thought-provoking talk on the economic perspectives of introducing Group A Streptococcus Vaccines. The day wrapped up with a Panel Discussion on overcoming challenges in introducing newer vaccines at the national level, featuring distinguished experts like Dr. Pawan Kumar, Dr Navneet Bichha and Dr. Shankar Prinja from GAVI. The interactive session allowed participants to engage directly with experts, addressing real-world implementation barriers and potential solutions.
As the day concluded, Dr. Madhu Gupta, Course Director, reflected on the critical role of national immunisation programs in achieving global health security, emphasising the need for innovative approaches, robust health systems, and data-driven policies to reach every child with life-saving vaccines.