A Joint Statement for further extension of VAP programme for a period of five years, was signed between Prof. K. VijayRaghavan, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, Director, NIAID, NIH, USA.
2.Indian delegation under the leadership of Prof. K. VijayRaghavan, Secretary, DBT participated in the 29th meeting of the Joint Working group of VAP during April 11-12, 2017 at NIAID, NIH, USA. The inter-ministerial delegation included Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, Secretary, Department of Health Research & Director General, Indian Council of Medical Research and the Joint Drug Controller from DCGI. JWG discussed the ongoing activities and future strategy for the development of vaccines for Dengue, Tuberculosis, Chikungunya and RSV. It also reviewed the initiatives on Human Immunology and TB research currently under implementation with bilateral efforts.
3. The Indo-US Vaccine Action Programme (VAP) is a bilateral programme of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India; and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), USA under implementation since July 1987. The VAP has been recognized internationally and considered as model bilateral programme in biomedical research area. The programme has established itself as a valuable and effective vehicle for international cooperation derived from sound scientific concept and effective planning.
4.The programme primarily aims to support a broad spectrum of activities relating to development of new and improved vaccines. The oversight to this programme is provided by the Joint Working Group (JWG) comprising of eminent scientists and policymakers from both the countries. All work under the VAP is carried out within areas designated as priorities by the JWG. The meeting of JWG is held every year alternatively at India and USA.
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