Paediatric Expert Group on the Immunization Programme. Activities focusing on effective immunization in Poland

INTRODUCTION: The Paediatric Expert Group on the Immunization Programme was established in January 2007. It is an independent advisory body to the Minister of Health. The Expert Group consists of paediatricians from various sub-specialities. Most of them are members of the Polish Society of Vaccinology (Table I). The Group started their activities informally in 2005. The first project concerned changes in immunization against tuberculosis and prophylaxis of measles, mumps and rubella. The project was fully implemented in 2006. The changes initiated three years ago, gradually implemented in the Immunization Programme are a result of wide cooperation with the Ministry of Health, Department of Health Policy Chief Sanitory Inspector, as well as the Institute of Tuberculosis and Pulmonary Diseases. The aim of the Paediatric Expert Group on the Immunization Programme is to present a unified policy in matters related to vaccination, leading to rapid changes in the prophylaxis of infective diseases which are still a threat to the life and health of children.