Vaccination Week in the Americas (VWA) originated with a proposal by the ministers of health of the Andean countries aimed at controlling a measles outbreak in Venezuela and Colombia in 2002. It became a hemispheric initiative in 2003, when the Directing Council of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) adopted Resolution CD44.R1.
In recent weeks, four fatal cases of adverse events following administration of yellow fever vaccine (17DD sub-strain) manufactured by Bio-Manguinhos, Brazil have been reported to the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO).
Control of Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Haemophilus influenzae type b and Hepatitis B Field Guide
The book was designed by PAHO to provide health professionals with a quick reference tool for these five diseases and the vaccines used to prevent them. The guide summarizes clinical information on these diseases; outlines the public health strategies currently available to control and prevent them, including surveillance and vaccination; and examines the existing monovalent vaccines.