POST 00508E : AVAILABILITY OF TECHNICAL INFORMATION
9 October2002
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Philippe Jaillard's contribution in Post 00506E gave rise to these very
important and relevant observations and suggestions from Alasdair Wylie
(mailto:[log in to unmask]). Although this stems from the
discussion on protection of more cold-sensitive vaccines, it is presented
under this new heading.
____________________________________________________
Phillippe Jaillard's observations and plea do reflect reality as it is
today for field staff and logisticians in very many countries. There are
fundamental issues which WHO and UNICEF need to address at HQ, regional and
country level to do with providing authoritative and accessible technical
information, and support to field operations staff. Some initial thoughts are:
- Get better at making sure people know what is already available; just
saying its on the web (if it is) is not enough ! All country offices and
project offices should keep hard copy reference sets of key documentation
and always keep a spare set so that documents can be given if another
agency or project needs, to be then replenished from the regional office or HQ.
- Keep documents websites up to date and with good links ; the WHO V & B
site fails on both these counts just now.
- Use new opportunities to get both existing and new information, and
guidance on key topics (within the general area of logistics/operations
management and technical support) out to as wide an audience as possible.
An example is the new WHO/UNICEF "V & B Update" quarterly newsletter -
which readers will find mentioned on the V & B home page but not on their
documents/newsletters site. I have already recommended to WHO that the
theme and focus for the next issue of this be Safe Vaccine Handling (not
mentioned in issue 1 on Safe Injections....) and that all future issues
have a page/section devoted to vaccine handling/cold chain issues and
news. I have not yet had an acknowledgement or response to those suggestions.
- Where needed information is not available or accessible on an important
topic, find out as fast as possible and let people know, and meanwhile let
them know what is being done. The information related to Hep B freezing
which Anthony has again asked about (POST 00506E) is the single most
important example of this just now.
- Revive regionally or subregionally based training (both basic and
refresher) for national logistics officers. When was the last time any WHO
regional office (or UNICEF office or anyone else) organised or supported
such a course?
- Support technical guidelines, policy and training with appropriate
financial and supply support. CCMs and Freezewatches, not to mention VVMs
on the other vaccines, don't materialise out of thin air. Neither did
essential spare parts for steam sterilizers, one of a variety of reasons
why they fell into disrepair and disrepute in many countries.
Best regards
Alasdair Wylie
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