Below, we provide links to (i) wesbites that provide comprehensive information on vaccines and immunisation and (ii) websites of vaccine manufacturers.
World Health Organisation (WHO)
The work of WHO's Department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals "covers a range of activities including standard-setting, research and development, vaccine regulation and quality, vaccine supply and immunization financing, and immunization system strengthening." The department's web site provides policy guidelines and information about vaccines, immunisation and vaccine-preventable diseases. Amongst the content of this extensive website are regularly updated position papers on key issues relating to vaccines and immunisation; a catalogue of policy recommendations on immunisation; and information on vaccine safety.
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
UNICEF is the world’s largest purchaser of vaccines for low and middle-income countries and a key partner in global immunisation efforts. UNICEF's Supply Division, based in Copenhagen, is "responsible for buying all vaccines and related items for global campaigns to eradicate polio, eliminate neonatal and maternal tetanus, and control measles. In addition, the Division procures vaccines for UNICEF-supported programmes, and for the GAVI Alliance." On UNICEF's website there is information on vaccine procurement and other issues relevant to vaccines and immunisation.
The GAVI Alliance is a public-private partnership created in 2000. Its aim is to save children's lives and protect people's health by increasing access to immunization in poor countries. The partnership includes national governments, UNICEF, WHO, the World Bank, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the vaccine industry, health and research institutions, and civil society organizations. The GAVI Alliance website contains, amongst other things, immunisation-relevant data about GAVI-eligible countries and how these countries can apply for GAVI support. GAVI offers the following types of support which eligible countries can apply for and benefit from until 2015: immunisation services support, new and underused vaccines support, injection safety support, health system strengthening, and civil society organisation support.
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The CDC website has detailed and comprehensive information on vaccines and immunisation issues. The information ranges from recommendations and guidelines for healthcare professionals, through information for specific groups of people and information on immunisation programmes and tools, to vaccine education resources.
PATH Vaccine Resource library
The PATH Vaccine Resource Library containins "the world’s best immunisation resources in a single, easy-to-use website." The website offers a wide variety of high-quality and scientifically accurate documents and links on specific diseases and topics in immunisation.
South African Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative (SATVI)
The South African Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative was established in 2001. It is located within the prestigious Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine of the University of Cape Town. SATVI is the largest dedicated tuberculosis (TB) vaccine research group on the African continent. SATVI's long-term aim is to develop capacity to conduct registration standard trials of novel TB vaccines and to conduct epidemiological and immunological research critical for clinical testing of new TB vaccines. The website contains up-to-date information on TB and immunology and links to other TB-related research website sites.
The Network for Education and Support in Immunisation (NESI) was officially launched in September 2002. NESI builds upon the former International Network for Eastern and Southern Africa. NESI is utilizing this network’s extensive experience in delivering training in Africa and expanding the focus to deliver additional activities, such as capacity building for the Expanded Program on Immunisation (EPI), curriculum revision, and the development of training documents.
South Africa Vaccination and Immunisation Centre (SAVIC)
The mission of SAVIC is to improve the health of future generations by strengthening immunization programmes and services. SAVIC thus advocates improved education and training in the fields of vaccination, immunisation programmes and services, and epidemiology of vaccine-preventable diseases.
Other websites with comprehensive information on vaccines and immunisation include the following, in alphabetical order:
Associacion Espaniola de Vaccunologia
Childhood Immunization Support Program, American Academy of Pediatrics
Division of Viral Hepatitis, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety
Health Protection Agency, United Kingdom
Institute for Vaccine Safety, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
National Network for Immunization Information
Network Italiano dei Servizi di Vaccinazione
Resources for Diarrheal Disease Control, PATH
Societe canadienne de pediatrie
Vaccine Education Center, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Viral Hepatitis Prevention Board