Global Health Histories Seminar 118: Global Historical Milestones in Infectious Disease Control using the Expanded Programme of Immunization

This seminar will argue the need to avoid getting trapped by artificial dichotomies that are often created by policy commentators and academics about primary health care and vaccination programmes, through reference to the so-called ‘horizontal’ and ‘vertical’ programmes. Using historical examples, especially drawn from the worldwide smallpox and polio eradication programmes, Professor Sanjoy Bhattacharya (University of York) will investigate how vertical public health programmes complement integrated efforts, provided by strong health systems, and how these have promoted vaccination drives by being better informed about, and adaptable to, community expectations and fears. This will be followed by responses and additional commentary from University of Zimbabwe, WHO Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe Health Ministry representatives.

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