By Elen Jones, RPS Director for Wales

As the Director for Wales at the RPS, I recently had the privilege of attending the FIP Global Vaccination Summit in The Hague, Netherlands. It was an enriching experience where experts from member organisations of FIP around the world came together to collaborate, share best practices, and explore ways to advance global immunisation efforts.

The summit, held on the 24th and 25th of April 2024, provided a platform for in-depth discussions on various aspects of vaccination, including vaccine confidence, access to data, remuneration models, and emerging vaccines. It was inspiring to witness the collective dedication of participants towards a common goal: ensuring that everyone, regardless of geography or socio-economic status, has access to life-saving vaccines.

Sharing insights and collaboration

One of the highlights of the summit was the emphasis on collaboration and knowledge sharing. I was delighted to be able to share my reflections from when I first set up a flu vaccination service while working in community pharmacy over a decade ago, right through to sharing inspiring approaches seen today in practice by RPS members from across the three nations. There were of course reflections on the incredible dedication of pharmacy teams across all sectors during COVID and the rollout of the vaccination programme, with discussions on how future immunisation practice could look, alongside other clinical developments.

Diverse expertise

Experts from diverse backgrounds and regions shared their expertise, contributing to a rich tapestry of insights that will inform the development of a global policy framework for life course immunisation. It was evident that by working together and leveraging our collective expertise, we can address the complex challenges associated with vaccination and make significant strides towards improving public health worldwide.

Next steps

The next steps following the summit are equally promising. A working group will be formed to consolidate the insights gathered and shape the policy framework. Meetings will be organised to review and refine the framework, ensuring that it is comprehensive and inclusive of diverse perspectives. Additionally, plans are underway to launch an advocacy campaign to highlight the role of pharmacists in global immunisation and advocate for their involvement in policymaking and service delivery.

I am particularly excited about the prospect of a second face-to-face summit in 2025, where we will build upon the learnings from the current summit and further refine our strategies for advancing immunisation efforts globally. With plans to roll out the framework across all participating FIP member countries by the end of 2025, we are poised to make a significant impact on immunisation efforts worldwide.

I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of this initiative and the ability to share the great work of our members across GB. Together, we are shaping the future of immunisation policy and working towards a world where preventable diseases are a thing of the past. I look forward to our continued collaboration through FIP and the positive impact we will make in the months and years to come.

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