-----------------------------------------------------------
PAHO NEWS: Press Releases, Job Vacancies, and Other
Information from the Pan American Health Organization
(PAHO) via the Canadian Society for International Health
(CSIH) http://www.csih.org Technical Representative in
Canada for PAHO
-----------------------------------------------------------
Experts Meet In Canada To Discuss Vaccine Progress
-----------------------------------------------------------
Immunization experts from all over the Americas are meeting April 12-16 in
Ottawa, Canada to look at vaccine issues and chart the course of immunization
programs in the Americas. The Pan American Health Organization's Technical
Advisory Group on Vaccine Preventable Diseases brings together experts in
vaccines, disease surveillance, laboratories, research, quality control,
safety, financing and production, to discuss key issues. These include measles
eradication in the Americas, new horizons in the control of rubella, the re-
emerging problem of yellow fever, keeping the Americas polio-free, research on
new vaccines, and related topics.
Regional vaccine campaigns save the lives of more than 200,000 children in
Latin America and the Caribbean each year, according to PAHO. Currently over
80 percent of children in the Americas under 1 year old are vaccinated against
diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, poliomyelitis, measles and
tuberculosis. When PAHO's Expanded Program on Immunization started 20 years
ago, that figure was only 25 percent. Thanks to the broad-based support in the
hemisphere in promoting vaccination, the Americas are the only region in the
world to have eliminated polio and are on track to eradicating measles - which
kills 1 million people worldwide each year - by 2000. The eradication plan
aims for 95 percent vaccination coverage in all districts of all countries in
the region and periodic follow-up campaigns targeting pre-school children.
Measles eradication in the Americas is a primary focus of the meeting. Since
1994, when Ministers of Health of the Americas adopted the goal of eradicating
measles from the Western Hemisphere by the year 2000, the countries have made
tremendous progress. PAHO's campaign to eliminate measles from the Americas by
the year 2000 succeeded in cutting cases from 250,000 in 1990 to 2,109 in
1996. However, staggered outbreaks occurred in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil and
other countries last year, resulting in over 10,000 confirmed measles cases.
So far in 1999, there have only been 162 cases of measles in the Americas.
Children in the Americas also are receiving new vaccines in their routine
immunizations. Today 80 percent of the countries vaccinate against rubella and
mumps; yellow fever inoculations are given in all but one of the countries
where that disease is endemic; and countries are inoculating for hepatitis B
and, increasingly, Haemophilus influenza type B. Besides its impact on early
childhood mortality, PAHO Director Dr. George A.O. Alleyne sees wider
applications for vaccine technology to improve health and reduce poverty. He
has called for "a major effort for research, development, production and
utilization of vaccines," through international and intersectoral cooperation.
PAHO has encouraged regional collaborations to improve vaccine development and
manufacture. For example, vaccine production standards and quality-control
policies vary widely throughout the countries of the Americas. To assure
vaccine quality for all people of the region, governments and vaccine
manufacturers are partnering in the Regional System for Vaccines. This network
works to standardize reference reagents, promote good manufacturing and
laboratory practices, and conduct studies to develop materials and regional
reference standards for vaccines.
The Pan American Health Organization, founded in 1902, works with all the
countries of the Americas to improve the health of their peoples and raise
their living standards. It serves as the Regional Office for the Americas of
the World Health Organization.
The meeting is open to the media and interviews with experts can be arranged.
For further information contact: Maureen Johnson at Canadian Society for
International Health in Ottawa, at (613) 241-5785 ext. 300,
[log in to unmask] or Daniel Epstein, tel. 202-974-3459 , fax 202-974-3143,
Office of Public Information, email: [log in to unmask] http://www.paho.org
-----------------------------------------------------------
Measles Eradication Field Guide Available from PAHO
-----------------------------------------------------------
In 1994, the Ministers of Health of the Americas adopted the goal of
eradicating measles from the Western Hemisphere by the year 2000. Although the
countries have made considerable progress toward this goal, scattered
outbreaks continue to occur. It is essential that the countries maintain high
immunization levels within their populations, especially in light of the
threat of reintroduction of measles from other regions of the world. To help
the countries of the Americas become and remain measles-free, PAHO has
developed a vaccination strategy for outbreak prevention and measles
eradication. This publication outlines that strategy and also provides
valuable background information about measles in a concise format and easy-to-
understand language. Its seven chapters cover such subjects as the
epidemiology of measles, clinical aspects of the disease, proper handling and
delivery of measles vaccines, and methods of laboratory confirmation of
measles infection. The rationale and activities related to the vaccination
strategy are explained in depth. The largest section of the book is devoted to
surveillance for measles cases and gives guidelines for case investigation,
outbreak response, and other components of an effective surveillance system.
Attached as appendices are numerous examples of forms that can be copied and
modified as needed for local surveillance purposes. There is also an extensive
bibliography arranged by subject. The practical information contained in this
manual will benefit public health personnel and medical practitioners at all
levels. The field guide is an essential tool for anyone involved in
administering or carrying out vaccination programs, both in the Americas and
elsewhere.
1998, 70 pp., ISBN 92 75 13041 8 / US$ 14.00. Order code: TP 41
http://publications.paho.org
-----------------------------------------------------------
PAHO Vacancy Notices
-----------------------------------------------------------
Post Title: Environmental Health Advisor; Level: P.4; Post Number: .5475;
Issue Date: 8 April 1999; Closing Date: 20 May 1999. Duty Station: Santo
Domingo, Dominican Republic; Tenure: Two years, first year probationary
period; Division/Program/Office: Division of Health and Environment (HEP)
Salary Information: Basic Salary: $50,767 at single rate; Post Adjustment:
$15,129 at single rate; Hardship/Mobility: $2,211 at single rate
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: Education: Bachelor of science degree in sanitary,
environmental, civil engineering or environmental sciences (biology or
ecology) with a master's degree in sanitary engineering, public health,
environmental engineering, environmental sciences (biology or ecology) or
business administration from a recognized university. Experience: At
national level: Seven years of progressively more responsible experience in
national institutions concerned with public health, the management of
environmental health programs, evaluation and control of environmental
pollution, or rural and urban development related to health and quality of
life. At international level: Two years of participation in technical
cooperation projects and activities for the development, management, or
evaluation of environmental health programs and/or water supply and sanitation
projects in developing countries of the Region. Technical cooperation
experience in environmental pollution control programs involving more than one
country would be an asset. Languages: Very good knowledge of Spanish with a
working knowledge of English.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Post Title: Environmental Health Advisor; Level: P.4; Post Number: .0478;
Issue Date: 8 April 1999; Closing Date: 20 May 1999; Duty Station: San
Salvador, El Salvador; Tenure: Two years, first year probationary period;
Division/Program/Office: Division of Health and Environment (HEP)
Salary Information: Basic Salary: $50,767 at single rate; Post Adjustment:
$8,072 at single rate; Hardship/Mobility: $5,750 at single rate.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: Education: Bachelor of science degree in sanitary,
environmental, civil engineering or environmental sciences (biology or
ecology) with a Master's degree in sanitary engineering, public health,
environmental engineering, environmental sciences (biology or ecology) or
business administration from a recognized university. Experience: At national
level: Seven years of progressively more responsible experience in national
institutions concerned with public health, the management of environmental
health programs, evaluation and control of environmental pollution, or rural
and urban development related to health and quality of life. At international
level: Two years of participation in technical cooperation projects and
activities for the development, management, or evaluation of environmental
health programs and/or water supply and sanitation projects in developing
countries of the Region. Technical cooperation experience in environmental
pollution control programs involving more than one country would be an asset.
Languages: Very good knowledge of Spanish with a working knowledge of
English.
For more information, contact: Pan American Health Organization / World Health
Organization, 525 Twenty-Third Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20037 USA Fax
(202) 974-3379 Telephone (202) 974-3396 Vacancy Hotline: (202) 974-3333
http://www.paho.org
-----------------------------------------------------------
This document is available, with full formatting and accents, at
http://www.csih.org/paho_ndx.html
|
