This part of the VHPB web site is specially created to share all information that was distributed and/or presented during the international meeting on "Strengthening immunisation systems and introduction of hepatitis B vaccine in Central and Eastern Europe and the Newly Independent States, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation, June 24-27, 2001", a joint initiative of CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), CVP/PATH (Bill and Melinda Gates Children's Vaccine Program at Program for Appropriate Technology in Health), GAVI (Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation), UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund), VHPB (Viral Hepatitis Prevention Board), and WHO (World Health Organization).
To put hepatitis B prevention on the political agenda in the Central and Eastern European Countries and the Newly Independent States CDC, VHPB and WHO organised already in 1996 a meeting in Siofok, Hungary. At that time, apart form the high levels of endemicity, the burden of disease and the local epidemiology were poorly known or understood. Only 5 of the concerned countries had implemented hepatitis B immunisation programmes. Economic constraints were cited as a major reason for not yet having implemented an immunisation programme.
It became clear during this meeting in St Petersburg, now 5 years later, that the country-specific epidemiology is much better understood. In addition, the cost of the vaccine has decreased, and the presence of partner agencies such as the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) and its members has accelerated and facilitated the process of implementing affordable and sustainable programmes.
On this web site we want to share all information that became available during this meeting. On the page Programme and presentations you will find the programme as well as the presentations that you can download as powerpoint and/or pdf files. Please note that not all presentations are available and some are only available in one of the two official languages. On the page of the Background documents you are able to download all available electronic copies of the distributed scientific information. Finally you will find an overview of the Immunisation status and programmes in the represented countries.
Do not hesitate to contact the webmaster if you have further questions or comments on this web site.