Pohnpei—July 22, 2024
Effective Vaccine Management (EVM) is crucial for the success of any immunization program. Proper storage and transportation of vaccines at recommended temperatures are critical for maintaining their potency and effectiveness, ultimately ensuring protection of the health of communities.
The FSM Department of Health and Social Affairs (DoHSA) is advancing its immunization programs with the Effective Vaccine Management (EVM) Assessment Assessor Workshop at Pohnpei State Hospital. The five-day workshop, facilitated by UNICEF and national EPI program focal points, aims to strengthen vaccine management systems across the region. It gathered immunization focal points from the four FSM state public health departments, representatives from the Palau EPI unit, and EPI specialists from the World Health Organization (WHO) in the FSM.
Chief of Public Health Dr Eliaser Johnson, speaking on behalf of Director Penias of Pohnpei State Health Department, highlighted the importance of strong coordination between state and national teams in his welcoming remarks. “Together, we can make a significant impact on public health and move closer to a world where preventable diseases are a thing of the past,” Dr Johnson stressed.
In his opening remarks, Acting Secretary of FSM Department of Health and Social Affairs Mr. Moses Pretrick underscored the workshop’s importance in equipping state EPI focal points with the latest EVM tools and methodologies. “Building local capacity for effective vaccine management assessments allows FSM to continually improve practices and enhance immunization programs,” Mr Pretrick stated.
UNICEF FSM Chief of Field Office, Mr. Cromwell Bacareza also emphasized the importance of strong partnerships for a successful EVM assessment in his introductory remarks. “Partnering with national and local health authorities is key to implementing the EVM assessment and improvement plans. Ongoing monitoring will sustain these improvements and tackle new vaccine management challenges,” Mr. Bacareza stated.
The workshop marks the first step in a comprehensive EVM assessment. Over the next few weeks, trained assessors will use EVM tool version 2.1 to evaluate nine critical areas of immunization supply chain system. UNICEF will then assist in analyzing the data, compiling the report, and developing the Effective Vaccine Management Country Improvement Plan (EVM cIP).
The FSM Department of Health and Social Affairs thanks UNICEF for its ongoing support and all participants for their active engagement in the effective vaccine management assessment. This collaboration is vital for advancing immunization efforts and improving public health outcomes.
