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Taipei hosts APEC influenza vaccine workshop

ROC Department of Health Minister Chiu Wen-ta addresses the APEC workshop July 18 in Taipei City. (Courtesy of DOH)

• Publication Date：07/19/2012
• Source： Taiwan Today

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum Workshop on Influenza Vaccine Policies and Strategies in the Post-Pandemic Era is being held in Taipei City July 18-20, according to the ROC Centers for Disease Control.

A total of 26 representatives from 13 APEC member economies and 74 domestic experts are attending the gathering at National Taiwan University Hospital’s International Convention Center to share their experience and exchange views on a range of topics, including the formulation and implementation of vaccination policies, vaccine safety monitoring and communication for vaccination programs.

ROC Department of Health Minister Chiu Wen-ta noted that after the World Health Organization announced in August 2010 that the H1N1 virus had entered the post-pandemic period, the CDC applied to APEC to hold the workshop in order to assess and enhance each member state’s vaccination policies and preparedness strategies for dealing with the next influenza pandemic.

The CDC said it hopes that the workshop will help boost Taiwan’s cooperative exchanges with other APEC members, improve developing member states’ capacities to deal with vaccination issues, and expand the island’s participation in APEC health affairs. (SB)