GLOBVAC International networking event and proposal initiating workshop.

The problem of providing vaccines on a global scale at the right moment, at the right place to the people who need it is a major and challenging logistical operation. Budgets are limited, and other challenges exist, such as political and social barriers, to reach the targeted population groups. To successfully address the broad nature of the objectives, a multi-disciplinary approach rooted in quantitative analysis and support, however with a keen eye on all qualitative, social aspects is of key importan ce. Existing literature does not provide any overarching system approaches combining managerial economics, operations research, planning under uncertainty with sociology, health care and public policy. Our intended research projects will connect to at le ast three thematic areas: i. Vaccine and vaccination research, ii. Health systems and health policy research and iii. Innovation in technology and methods development, providing interdisciplinary systems approaches to delivering vaccines in less developed countries. Projects would connect to the primary theme of prevention and treatment of communicable diseases, aiming to develop innovative technology and methods and be embedded in health systems and health policy research. We propose a two-day networkin g event and workshop with an intended participation of 25-30 researchers, from at least six different countries, three different continents, and ten different institutions. The first day will focus on getting to know each other and brainstorming about re search and collaboration opportunities, whereas the second day will aim at formulating rough drafts and outlines of new research proposals, potentially concretely connected to upcoming calls. We aim at a well-connected central location in Europe, in the period late May - mid June 2014, just before or after a large international conference to allow travel cost minimization.