We are pleased to announce the convening of the 1st APIC Summit on Infectious Diseases and Immunization. Keeping with the theme of the World Health Day 2023 ‘Health for All’, the theme of the summit is ‘Vaccinations for All: Access, Confidence and Equity’. The summit will bring together experts from Asia-Pacific and beyond to discuss critical issues related to vaccine access, distribution and acceptance.
As we continue to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become clear that immunization is a key tool in mitigating the spread and impact of infectious diseases. In the aftermath of the pandemic, the lack of equal access to vaccines, particularly for low-and-middle income countries highlighted significant barriers to achieving health equity. The pandemic also exacerbated a backslide in vaccine coverage, undoing decades of progress achieved by sustained efforts of the global health community. The WHO and UNICEF have recorded the largest sustained decline in childhood vaccinations in approximately 30 years with growing numbers of children at risk from devastating but preventable diseases such as measles. Alongside that has been a concerning decline in public confidence in vaccines in general, with 53 out 55 countries showing declines in the 2023 UNICEF State of the World’s Children Report. The same report revealed that 67 million children missed out entirely or partially on immunization between 2019 and 2021, with the East Asia and Pacific region showing particularly large declines. (see figure below from the UNICEF 2023 SOWC report)
Along with this backsliding in immunization coverage, we have also witnessed the spread of infectious diseases in new geographies as a result of global warming and climate change. A concerted regional and global multi-sectoral response is required to overcome these challenges. While we mourn these alarming developments, we also celebrate the power of science and multi-stakeholder collaboration in the unprecedented development of vaccines to mitigate the public health impact of the pandemic.
We envision the summit as a regional forum to discuss the latest evidence on what works and what doesn’t to increase vaccine uptake, particularly among zero-dose children, adolescents and older adults. It will be a platform for participants to share best practices, and innovative solutions to improving vaccine coverage, drawing from contextualised approaches that have been successful in the region or similar contexts. We will also focus on addressing the challenges of vaccine equity, including ensuring access to vaccines for underserved populations. The need for people-centred and tailored strategies to build trust in vaccines and immunization, counter misinformation and increase vaccine uptake particularly among vulnerable communities will be highlighted. The summit will conclude with a session on the development of new vaccines and other interventions for emerging diseases. We strongly believe that the future can benefit from scientific advances and innovations showcased during the pandemic. We will attempt to gaze at the crystal ball and contemplate what may be in the pipeline for future vaccines to mitigate the impact of future outbreaks and pandemics.
With this array of topics, the conference aims to engage a wide spectrum of participants including researchers, policy makers, the media, industry, the general public, patient/consumer groups and civil society. We hope that the summit will reinforce the benefits and value of immunization in saving lives across the life-course, among the people and communities in the region.
We will be delighted if you join us for this important and impactful event, which will take place on 31st October – 1st November, 2023 in Singapore. Together, we can work towards a future where everyone has access to safe and effective vaccines.
Tikki Pang and Heidi Larson,
Co-Chairs,
Asia Pacific Immunization Coalition (APIC)
Speaker
Day 1: Tuesday, 31st October 2023
| Time | Programme | Speakers | Chair Convenor/ Moderator |
| 08:00 – 08:30 | Registration | ||
| 08:30 – 09:00 | Welcome and Opening Speeches | Prof Kenneth Mak Director-General of Health, Ministry of Health, Singapore
Prof Nick Sevdalis Academic Director, Centre for Behavioural and Implementation Science Interventions (BISI), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore
Prof Sri Rezeki Hadinegoro Head, Indonesian Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (ITAGI) | Ms Ananta Seth Manager, Asia Pacific Immunization Coalition |
| 09:00 – 09:30 | Keynote Plenary 1 Miracle of Vaccines in the Age of Polycrises | Dr Muhammad Ali Pate Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Nigeria | Prof Tikki Pangestu Co-Chair, Asia Pacific Immunization Coalition |
| 09:30 – 10:00 | Keynote Plenary 2 Challenges and Progress in Achieving Vaccine Equity and Polio Eradication in Conflict Affected Areas of Pakistan | Prof Zulfiqar A. Bhutta Robert Harding Inaugural Chair in Global Child Health, Hospital for Sick Children, | |
| 10:00 – 10:15 | Tea Break, Posters and Exhibition Viewing | ||
| 10:15 – 11:30 | Symposium 1: Facts Over Fear: Overcoming Vaccine Hesitancy in the Asia-Pacific* | Prof Lulu Bravo Professor of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University of the Philippines
Dr Basil Rodriques Regional Health Adviser, East Asia & Pacific, UNICEF
Dr Kenneth Hartigan-Go Senior Research Fellow, Ateneo Policy Center, Ateneo School of Government
Ms Saudamini Vishwanath Dabak Head of International Unit, HITAP | Prof Zulkifli Ismail Secretary General, Asia Pacific Pediatric Association & Chairman, Immunise4Life Technical Committee |
| 11:30 – 12:45 | Industry Symposium A: Experiences from the SEA region: Providing access, building confidence and ensuring equity in vaccines | Dr Apinya Niramitsantipong Deputy Director, Division of Vector Borne Diseases, Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand
Prof Sri Rezeki Hadinegoro Head, Indonesian Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (ITAGI)
Dr Saidatul Norbaya Binti Buang Deputy Director (Family Health), Family Health Development Division, Ministry of Health, Malaysia | Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy
Prof Lulu Bravo Professor of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University of the Philippines |
| 12:45 – 13:30 | Networking Lunch, Posters and Exhibition Viewing | ||
| 13:30 – 14:45 | Industry Symposium B: Unlocking Potential: The Future of mRNA Technology in Tackling Infectious Diseases and Preparing for the Next Pandemic | Prof Dale Fisher Professor of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, NUS
Dr Andrea Carfi Chief Scientific Officer for Infectious Disease, Moderna | Prof Tikki Pangestu Co-Chair, Asia Pacific Immunization Coalition |
| 14:45 – 16:00 | Symposium 2: From Evidence to Action: Facilitating Evidence Use in National Immunization Programs | Dr Nakorn Premsri National Vaccine Institute, Thailand
Prof Sri Rezeki Hadinegoro Head, Indonesian Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (ITAGI)
Dr Raymond Hutubessy Senior Economist from the Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals (IVB), Initiative for Vaccine Research (IVR), WHO | Prof Nick Sevdalis Academic Director, Centre for Behavioural and Implementation Science Interventions (BISI), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore |
| 16:00 – 16:15 | Tea Break, Posters and Exhibition Viewing | ||
| 16:15 – 17:15 | Industry Symposium C: Shift in Perceptions on Vaccinations Post-Pandemic | Dr Serene Thain Pei Ting Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Singapore
Dr Edwin Ch’ng Aik Chen Medical Director, Parkway Shenton, Singapore | Dr Bulent Nuri Taysi Senior Director Regional Vaccine and Antiviral Lead Emerging Asia, Pfizer |
| 17:15 – 18:30 | ADVA Global Policy Group Dinner Symposium: From Pasteur to Python to Patients – Upgrading Vaccine Policy Making for the Modern World | Prof Richard J Maude Head of the Epidemiology Department,
Asst Prof Lim Jue Tao Assistant Professor, Infectious Disease Modelling, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine
Prof Mark Jit Vaccine epidemiology, Head of the Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) | Prof Zulkifli Ismail Secretary General, Asia Pacific Pediatric Association & Chairman, Immunise4Life Technical Committee
Mr Dafydd Green Vista Health |
| 18:30 – 20:30 | APIC – ADVA Networking Dinner | ||
Day 2: Wednesday, 1st November 2023
| Time | Programme | Speakers | Chair Convenor/ Moderator |
| 08:00 – 08:30 | Registration | ||
| 08:30 – 09:00 | Keynote Plenary 3 What Makes Vaccination Advocacy Programs Tick? | Prof Zulkifli Ismail Secretary General, Asia Pacific Pediatric Association & Chairman, Immunise4Life Technical Committee | Prof Ooi Eng Eong Duke-NUS Medical School |
| 09:00 – 09:30 | Keynote Plenary 4 Tackling Inequities in Global Vaccine Access | Prof Mari Pangestu Former Managing Director Development Policy & Partnerships, The World Bank Former Minister of Trade and Minister of Tourism & Creative Economy, Indonesia | |
| 09:30 – 10:00 | Keynote Plenary 5 Lessons Learnt from Vaccination Strategies in Singapore | Prof Vernon Lee Group Director, Communicable Diseases Group, Ministry of Health | |
| 10:00 – 10:15 | Tea break, Posters and Exhibition Viewing | ||
| 10:15 – 11:30 | Symposium 3: Vaccine Equity for All: Strategies to Reach Zero-Dose Children and Under-Vaccinated Communities | Dr Anh Wartel Deputy Director General, International Vaccine Institute
Dr Nguyen Tuyet Nga Vietnam Country Director, PATH
Prof Mari Pangestu Former Managing Director Development Policy & Partnerships, The World Bank Former Minister of Trade and Minister of Tourism & Creative Economy, Indonesia | Dr Joanne Yoong Research for Impact |
| 11:30 – 12:30 | Industry Symposium D: Strategies to Improve Access to Immunisation Amongst Older Adults in Asia Pacific | Dr Ong Suan Ee Research For Impact Singapore (Study Lead)
Dr Raymond Leong Medical Director, Tsao Foundation
Asst Prof Clive Tan Asst Chief, Group Integrated Care (Population Health) National Healthcare Group Adjunct Asst. Professor, Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, NUS
Ms Susana Harding Senior Director, International Longevity Centre Singapore
Mr Adam Gerard Co-founder, Columba Design Adjunct Faculty, Lee Kong Chian School of Business | Dr Joanne Yoong Research for Impact |
| 12:30 – 13:15 | Networking Lunch, Poster and Exhibition Viewing | ||
| 13:15 – 14:30 | Influenza Vaccination Post Covid-19: A Rethink | Prof Terapong Tantawichien Professor and Head of Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand
Dr Cissy Kartasasmita Professor of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Padjadjaran University, Indonesia
Dr Pham Quang Thai Vice Head of Epidemiology Dept., National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE), Hanoi, Vietnam | Asia-Pacific Alliance for the Control of Influenza (APACI)
Prof Yuelong Shu Chairman of APACI and Dean at Public Health School (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, China
Dr John Tam Director of APACI Visiting Professor, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology of the HK Polytechnic University, SAR, China |
| 14:30 – 15:45 | Symposium 4: Beyond COVID-19: The Future of Vaccine Research and Development | Dr Andrea Carfi Chief Scientific Officer for Infectious Disease, Moderna
Dr Serdar Ozturk Vice President, Vaccines Medical Affairs, Great China & Intercontinental Region, GSK
Dr Robert Walker Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, Novavax
Panelists: Asst Prof Ruklanthi de Alwis Assistant Professor, Centre for Outbreak Preparedness, Duke-NUS Medical School
Dr Chan Si Min Head of Paediatrics Infectious Diseases, National University Health System, Singapore | Prof Ooi Eng Eong Duke-NUS Medical School |
| 15:45 – 16:00 | Tea Break, Poster and Exhibition Viewing | ||
| 16:00 – 16:45 | Mobile Populations, Cervical Cancer, and HPV Vaccination: Bridging the Divide | Mr Rohit Sahgal Director
Prof Tikki Pangestu Visiting Professor
Mr Aravindan Srinivasan Director, Thematic Collaborations
Prof Lulu Bravo Professor Emeritus at the College of Medicine | Asian Venture Philanthropy Network (AVPN)
Ms Kelly Ng Journalist |
| 16:45 – 17:00 | Closing Remarks | Prof Heidi J. Larson Co-Chair, Asia Pacific Immunization Coalition Director of The Vaccine Confidence Project and Professor of Anthropology London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Prof Tikki Pangestu Co-Chair, Asia Pacific Immunization Coalition Visiting Professor, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore | |
Post-Summit Events
| Time | Programme | Speakers | Chair Convenor/ Moderator |
| 2 November | NUS-APACI event on older adults immunization | ||
| TBC | Asia-Pacific GAVI constituency meeting |
Co-convenors:
Supported by:
