Supported by an unrestricted educational grant by AstraZeneca

Message from the Chairperson

Dear Colleagues,

The Middle East, Eurasia And Africa Influenza Stakeholders Network, hereafter referred to as ‘ME’NA-ISN’ or ‘the Association’ was founded on 25 November 2019. The Association was born from an initial idea to gather scientists and leading regional experts on influenza. As a result ME’NA-ISN was established as an Association of experts representative of a multidisciplinary approach operating across different countries in the Region. 

Dear Friends,

We need your support and contribution to expand our network, to understand influenza epidemiology, burden and vaccination practices in the Region and to establish policy recommendations tailored to the needs of our Region. You are always very welcome to participate in ME’NA-ISN activities, propose research projects and scientific events and contribute to the Association every way that you can to realize our vision, which is a world resilient to pandemic influenza.   

Sincerely yours,

Dr. Salah Al-Awaidy
Chairperson, ME’NA-ISN

Event Brief

Seasonal influenza continues to be a significant public health concern in the MENA region, with high burdens of illness, mortality, and healthcare costs. Despite the availability of effective vaccines, several countries in the region face persistent challenges such as limited awareness, vaccine hesitancy, and low implementation capacity.

To address these gaps, ME’NA-ISN, in partnership with AstraZeneca, is hosting a one-day Train-the-Trainer Workshop on Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV). The event aims to equip a new generation of trainers with the knowledge and skills to strengthen national influenza immunization programs.

This workshop forms part of ME’NA-ISN’s broader commitment to evidence-based action, professional development, and regional collaboration in preventing vaccine-preventable diseases.

Workshop Objectives

Participants will benefit from:

  • Technical presentations by infectious disease and immunization experts
  • Case-based discussions and hands-on training modules
  • Strategies to improve vaccine uptake and address hesitancy
  • Best practices in communication and adult learning
  • Operational insights for LAIV handling and integration

Target Audience

The workshop is designed for public health professionals, infectious disease specialists, immunization program managers, epidemiologists, and others engaged in respiratory disease prevention and vaccine program delivery.

Key Topics

  • Burden of influenza in MENA and globally
  • Virology, complications, and surveillance
  • Vaccine technologies and roll-out strategies
  • Risk communication and motivational interviewing
  • Role of national societies in life-course vaccination

Panelists and Faculty

TBD

1. Train-the-Trainer Agenda:

Download the full agenda for the Train-the-Trainer Influenza Workshop, including session timings, speaker lineup, and key discussion topics.

2. Train-the-Trainer Invitation:

View the official invitation letter outlining the workshop’s objectives, themes, and participation details.

3. Call-to-Action Paper Meeting Invitation:

Explore the invitation for the expert evening session focused on drafting a regional Call-to-Action paper to advance influenza prevention.