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The First Asia-Pacific Influenza Summit 12-13th June 2012 Bangkok, Thailand
Executive Summary
Awareness of the burden of influenza on public health continues to develop in the Asia-Pacific region, however there is no consensus on the best way to prevent and treat the disease and to ensure that policies for the use of seasonal influenza vaccines and specific treatments are in place.
A one day Influenza Summit is proposed to address the challenges of combating influenza in the region, by focusing on influenza control policy, funding availability and policy implementation leading to improved influenza vaccine uptake.
APACI will lead a partnership to organise the Summit with the Influenza Foundation of Thailand (IFT), with input from WHO and CDC regional offices. The intended audience will be representatives of healthcare provider organisations, public health authorities and others with an interest in the control of influenza.
The Summit will be modelled on the successful European (ESWI) and United States (CDC/AMA) Influenza Summits held in 2011, and the forerunner of new initiatives to promote influenza awareness in the region.
Objectives
1. Review the current state of official influenza control policies in Asia-Pacific countries.
2. Identify, summarize and communicate influenza control strategies that have successfully increased vaccine uptake in the region.
3. Develop policy and advocacy approaches to improve influenza vaccine uptake in high-risk groups and healthcare workers in the region
4. Establish collaborative relationships to promote best practices for the control of influenza.
Intended Audience
Participants would include public health officials, healthcare professionals, and other public & private organisations that have an interest in promoting best practices for the prevention and treatment of influenza.
12th June: 60 attendees
13th June: 200 attendees
Registration Fee
The conference will be by invitation only, therefore no registration fee will be necessary.
Summit Venue & Accommodation
Thailand has been proposed as the meeting site as The Influenza Foundation of Thailand is well established with a focus on influenza awareness education, and is a member of APACI’s regional network of foundations. A number of studies have also established the burden of disease and economic cost of influenza in Thailand.
It proposed that the Summit take place on Tuesday 12th & Wednesday 13th of June at the Siam Kempinski Hotel, Bankok, preceding the ICID 2011 Meeting, 13-16th June 2012.
About APACI
The Asia-Pacific Alliance for the Control of Influenza (APACI) Ltd is an independent organisation, established in Hong Kong in April 2011. It is a company limited by guarantee with charitable status, and has a membership consisting of leading experts in the area of influenza, each representing their respective country within the Asia-Pacific region. Through its Board of Directors, APACI maintains full control over all of its activities and published materials.
APACI has a clear mission: to reduce the burden of influenza across the Asia-Pacific region, and in fulfilment of that mission will:
• Raise awareness of influenza, its impact, and the mechanisms for controlling Influenza
• Establish and provide ongoing support to national influenza foundations or similar groups
• Identify the burden of disease in the Asia-Pacific region
• Ensure best practice in prevention and treatment of influenza
APACI’s objectives are consistent with those of WHO and their global agenda on influenza.
Summit Partners
1. The Influenza Foundation of Thailand (IFT),
2. CDC, Thailand
Summit Supported by:
1. International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations (IFPMA), influenza Vaccine Supply (IVS) International Task Force (www.ifpma.org)
2. Developing Country Vaccine Manufacturers Network (DCVMN)
3. Local Industry association (PReMA)
4. Healthcare professional organizations (World Medical Association, International Council of Nurses, World Health Professionals Alliance, Local HCP orgs etc)
Summit Planning & programming Committee
A/Prof Lance Jennings (Chair APACI) Clin/Prof David Smith (Director APACI)
Kim Sampson (Executive Director)
Prof Paul Chan (Director APACI)
Dr Tawee Chotpitayasunondh (IFT)
CDC (Thailand) representative – to be asked
Tamara Music (IFPMA IVS), Bram Palache (Abbott) Mark Simmerman, Atika Abelin (Sanofi-Pasteur), Kitima Yuthavong(PREMA)
Funding sources
1. APACI
2. IFPMA- an unrestricted grant to APACI to support the establishment of the A-P Influenza Summit
3. PreMA –provision of local expertise & guidance
4. APEC- (to be approached)
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