The Network for Education and Support in Immunisation (NESI) was officially launched on 1 September 2002.
NESI was built on the experience of the International Network for Eastern and Southern Africa on Hepatitis B Vaccination, which was established in 1999 and included five universities in Eastern and Southern Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa), Ministries of Health in Africa and the University of Antwerp. The purpose of this network was to translate research on hepatitis B through capacity building and advocacy into universal access to hepatitis B vaccination in the partner countries.
With the development of new vaccines and increased commitment by development partners and private sector initiatives to strengthen vaccine supply and immunisation services, there are more opportunities to prevent more diseases in more infants, children, adolescents and adults. This led to the establishment of NESI, which is a collaborative network focusing on capacity building for the strengthening of existing immunisation systems and introduction of new vaccines, with a broad technical scope and wide geographical focus.
Mission statement
NESI wants to improve the quality and sustainability of immunisation programmes and services in low- and middle-income countries, in particular through education and training.
NESI aims to build expertise in immunisation at the national level for managers and staff of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) in Ministries of Health. It also aims to improve pre-service training for the different university faculties involved in immunisation (medicine, nursing, pharmacy and public health).
The objectives of NESI are :
- to provide education, training and support in immunisation;
- to improve the quality and sustainability of immunisation programmes and services; and
- to ensure a better health for infants, children, adolescents and adults.
