Announcements

IVI [to 14 January 2017]
http://www.ivi.int/

[Undated]
IVI, Rotary International Join Forces to Vaccinate against Cholera in At-risk Populations in Nepal
:: Campaign to vaccinate about 27,000 people to prevent endemic cholera
:: IVI Director General commends Rotary’s leadership and support, announces intent to provide additional vaccinations in developing countries through international collaboration

The International Vaccine Institute (IVI), Rotary International (District 3640, District 3710), Rotary Club of Seoul Southwest in Korea, and Rotary Club of Nagarjun in Nepal announced on January 9 their global health partnership that recently completed vaccination of about 27,000 people at risk of cholera in Nepal.

The vaccinations have been conducted in Banke, an area in southwest Nepal that borders with India, to protect people against cholera, a potentially fatal and highly contagious diarrheal disease. Cholera is endemic in Nepal, and people in the area are at high risk of cholera due to lack of clean water and limited sanitation and hygiene.

The vaccination campaign used a two-dose oral cholera vaccine, developed by IVI through a public-private partnership with groups that include the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the governments of Korea and Sweden. Notably, the vaccine ‘Euvichol’ is produced by the Korean vaccine manufacturer EuBiologics who worked with IVI on its development and production following technology transfer from IVI. The vaccine is prequalified by the World Health Organization and is the first Korean-made cholera vaccine for global public health.

To ensure the vaccine reaches vulnerable populations, IVI collaborated with Rotary International and Nepalese health authorities to conduct the vaccination campaign, targeting residents one year old and up.  The first round occurred on early December, and the second round in mid- to late December.

The vaccination campaign was led by Rotary Club of Seoul Southwest and International Rotary Districts 3640 and 3710, and was supported through a Global Grant from the Rotary Foundation. Collaborators in Nepal included the Nepalese Ministry of Health, Group for Technical Assistance (GTA), and other partners. The campaign was also supported by a number of Korean donors, including the Export Import Bank of Korea, the Kim & Chang CSR Committee, and Sartorius Korea Biotech…