WHO's Immunization Safety Priority Project - 1999-2005
The World Health Organization established the Immunization Safety Priority Project in 1999 as a focus for addressing the many challenges relating to immunization safety existing in the world at that time.
This report begins by describing the health issues that led to the decision to establish the Project. The goals and operating mechanisms are outlined as are the means used for communicating key messages and the role of partnerships. An overview of the main technical areas of the Project i.e. quality control of vaccines and injection devices, vaccine management, safe administrative of vaccines, waste management and the monitoring and management of adverse events following immunization, is provided.
The report goes on to describe the accomplishments made in global immunization safety during the life of the Project and outlines the lessons that have been learned. The concluding section details the future perspectives for further improvements in immunization safety worldwide and the challenges that remain.