Mr. Salman Alhajri
Gulf Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Saudi Arabia
Abstract Title: Gulf Collaborative Immunization Project: A Regional Model for Strengthening Immunization Systems and Policy Coordination
Biography:
Salman AlHajri is the Communicable Diseases Section Manager at the Gulf CDC. He previously served as a Senior Public Health Specialist and Epidemiology Team Lead at Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, and as a Senior Specialist in Communicable Diseases at the Saudi Ministry of Health. He began his career as an Infection Control Practitioner and Quality Coordinator at Saad Specialist Hospital. Salman holds a Master of Public Health and a Bachelor's degree in Health Sciences and Management from the University of Sydney.
Research Interest:
The Gulf Collaborative Immunization Project is an ongoing regional initiative aimed at strengthening immunization policies and practices across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Coordinated by the Gulf CDC, this project was initiated by conducting a comprehensive survey of national immunization programs to identify systemic gaps, operational challenges, and areas for improvement. A key milestone has been the establishment of the Gulf National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) Collaboration, a regional network enabling structured dialogue, joint policy development, and resource sharing among member states. The project’s 2025 focus is centered on three core pillars: addressing vaccine awareness and hesitancy, developing unified indicators for Adult vaccine uptake measurement, and facilitating the exchange of technical expertise through the Gulf NITAG collaborative platform. These efforts aim to standardize approaches to immunization, improve public trust in vaccines, and enhance the quality and comparability of immunization data across the region. By leveraging shared epidemiological insights and policy frameworks, the initiative seeks to build resilient immunization systems capable of responding effectively to emerging communicable disease threats. This presentation will highlight the collaborative framework, methodologies, and early outcomes of the initiative, offering a scalable model for regional public health cooperation.