EPIVAC©

Empowering District Medical Officers and Supporting Countries to Improve Immunization Program Performance

To address barriers to immunization, AMP teamed up with public- and private- partners in 2002 to develop and implement EPIVAC© (EPIdemiology & VACcinology).

The program aims to enhance immunization program performance in GAVI-eligible countries by strengthening the technical and managerial skills of 50 district medical officers every year and by providing technical support to countries.

Participating countries include Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, and Togo.

Partnering for Improved Immunization

EPIVAC© is a Sanofi Pasteur contribution to the GAVI Alliance. Implemented by AMP, the program was developed in partnership with national governments of eligible countries and the universities of Cocody-Abidjan and Paris-Dauphine in France, in collaboration with the WHO, UNICEF, the GAVI Alliance, and other partners working in Africa. 


Customized Training for the African Context

EPIVAC© is a one-year, on-the-job training program in epidemiology, applied computing, vaccinology, and health program management, featuring:

Classroom learning (4 weeks): At the start of the program, participants come together at the Regional Institute of Public Health (IRSP) in Ouidah, Benin for an intensive course on vaccinology and health management.

Distance learning (44 weeks): Following classroom learning, participants return to the workplace for continued distance training, including:

• Online and offline learning: Participants complete assignments online and/or on a CD-ROM (depending on Internet access). An “e-Tutor” ensures that participants stay on task, responds to technical questions, and redirects scientific questions to experts.
• Supportive supervision: Participants meet with two national supervisors on four occasions to develop a plan to address immunization issues and, ultimately, to improve immunization program performance at district level. 

Field research: Participants must submit and defend an operational research thesis on an immunization topic relevant to their health district. 

At the end of the course, participants receive a master’s degree from the University of Cocody-Abidjan in "Organization and Management of Public Systems of Prevention through Immunization in Developing Countries" and a European master 2 from the University of Paris-Dauphine in "Economics and Management of Public Health in Developing Countries."

Technical Support Based on Collaboration

In collaboration with international and regional organizations, EPIVAC© also provides technical support to countries, contributing to:

• Evaluation of national immunization programs
• Strategic and operational planning for immunization programs 
• Preparation of applications for GAVI Alliance funding for new and under-used vaccines
• Organization of training and workshops on immunization program planning, financial sustainability techniques, the GAVI application process, etc.

A Visible Impact on Immunization Program Performance

Since 2002, EPIVAC© has trained around 400 district medical officers and 50 national supervisors. Through more than 1,500 supervision reports and nearly 400 operational research theses, crucial evidence has been collected on national immunization program performance, management, and funding at district level.

Immunization program performance indicators show that districts with EPIVAC graduates are significantly better than those without EPIVAC© graduates.

Networking for Lasting Change 

The EPIVAC International Network [1] (EPINET) was created in 2007 to support EPIVAC in improving immunization program performance in GAVI-eligible countries. Members include EPIVAC graduates, supervisors, trainers, experts in public health, vaccinology, and health systems management, and other partners.

The network’s main missions include: providing continued training to members; enhancing evidence for immunization decision making through research activities; mobilizing resources for immunization; and sharing experiences and tools for improving immunization program management and performance.