invitation letter

							                                     By E-mail/Fax

VPI.3/26
E4/62/2 (4)                                                            29 March 2010

Dear *,

    It is my great pleasure and honor to invite you to attend the first Vaccination Week in
the Eastern Mediterranean Region, which will be held in Beirut, Lebanon, on Saturday,
24 April 2010 at UNESCO Palace Hotel at 9:00 a.m.

    Vaccination Week is an annual Region-wide initiative, which celebrates the success
of immunization and promotes further immunization efforts through advocacy,
education, and communication activities. This week-long initiative coincides with similar
endeavours established in two other WHO Regions – the Americas and Europe – and
represents a step in the direction of a Global Vaccination Week.

    I am happy to announce that all the 22 countries, of the region, will be participating
in the first Vaccination Week initiative. A variety of activities will be carried out by
participating countries during the week, including workshops, training sessions, social
mobilization, exhibitions and media events addressing a wide range of vaccine-related
issues. Immunization services will also be widely implemented, such as tracking
unvaccinated people, conducting large-scale vaccination campaigns and using Child
Health Days to deliver an integrated package of life-saving health interventions.

    This year’s inaugural ceremony is being held under the kind patronage of Her
Excellency the First Lady of Lebanon Mrs Wafaa Michel Sleiman. As a respected public
figure advocating for the well being of people in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, H.E.
the First Lady will bring much-deserved attention to the vital role of immunization in
preventing disability and death from vaccine-preventable diseases.

   Your support and participation in Vaccination Week are very important. Noting the
time needed for preparations by the host country, we would appreciate receiving
confirmation of your attendance at the launching ceremony latest by 10 April 2010.




THIS LETTER WILL BE SENT AS PER THE ATTACHED LIST OF INVITEES
                                         -2-



   I look forward to welcoming you to this important event.

   With my warmest regards



                                               Sincerely yours,




                                               Hussein A. Gezairy, M.D., F.R.C.S
                                               Regional Director




  For further information, please visit: http://www.emro.who.int/vpi/vwem/



… Encl.: Draft Programme for the launching ceremony