Field Epidemiology Training Programs (FETPs) have continued to evolve to address emerging public health priorities and country workforce needs through specialized and contextualized tracks. Among these developments, immunization-focused FETP tracks emerged to strengthen capacities supporting vaccine-preventable disease (VPD) surveillance, outbreak response, and routine immunization efforts.

Across the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR), conflict, displacement, disrupted health systems, and recurrent outbreaks continue to challenge immunization systems, highlighting the need for tailored workforce approaches in fragile and emergency settings.

To explore these experiences, EMPHNET hosted the 54^th session of its WEBi Series, titled “The Role of Immunization-Focused FETPs in Preventing and Controlling Vaccine-Preventable Diseases in Fragile Settings,” on May 19, 2026, with 257 participants attending the session.

The webinar brought together regional experts and country representatives to discuss how immunization-focused FETPs and Public Health Empowerment Programs (PHEPs) strengthen surveillance, preparedness, and response capacities through contextualized and practice-oriented approaches.

Opening Remarks

The session opened with remarks from Dr. Amna Khairy, Technical Specialist at EMPHNET, who introduced the webinar objectives and highlighted the importance of strengthening workforce capacities supporting VPD prevention and control efforts in fragile and emergency settings.

Repositioning Immunization Workforce Models for Fragile Settings

Dr. Eltayeb Elfakki, Medical Officer, Immunization in Health Emergencies at WHO EMRO, highlighted the increasing complexity of fragile settings across the EMR, characterized by conflict, displacement, recurrent outbreaks, population mobility, and operational challenges affecting immunization systems and surveillance capacities.

He emphasized the need for agile public health workforce models and adapting applied epidemiology training programs toward integrated all-hazard approaches aligned with response monitoring frameworks, including the 7-1-7 approach. He also highlighted the evolving role of immunization-focused FETP tracks in strengthening competencies in outbreak analytics, incident management, humanitarian coordination, and evidence-informed decision-making in fragile and conflict-affected settings.

EMPHNET’s Experience in Supporting Immunization-Focused FETP Tracks

Building on these regional needs, Dr. Ruba Alsouri, Senior Technical Officer at EMPHNET, presented EMPHNET’s experience in strengthening field epidemiology workforce capacities across the region and highlighted the organization’s role in supporting FETPs and specialized frontline training models for more than 15 years in collaboration with ministries of health and partners.

She highlighted how changing public health priorities and evolving country needs led to the development of immunization-focused FETP tracks to address workforce gaps affecting surveillance, outbreak response, routine immunization, and VPD prevention efforts.

The presentation showcased EMPHNET’s Public Health Empowerment Program (PHEP) model and its specialized tracks, including PHEP-SPO, and respiratory virus-focused tracks such as RSV and MERS. Designed as contextualized, field-based, and service-oriented models, these programs support countries in translating field epidemiology training into public health action while strengthening capacities aligned with national priorities.

Country presentations that followed provided examples of how these models have been adapted and implemented across different contexts in the region.

Lebanon Experience: Adapting FETP During Emergencies

Dr. Zeina Farah, Scientific Coordinator of Lebanon FETP and Epidemiologist at the Epidemiological Surveillance Program at the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health, presented Lebanon’s experience implementing immunization-focused FETP tracks. She highlighted Lebanon FETP, launched in 2022 with support from EMPHNET, and its specialized tracks including PHEP-SPO and PHEP-RSV, which strengthened surveillance and outbreak investigation capacities through the development of 222 AFP surveillance reports, 75 data quality audit visits to medical centers, 25 surveillance sensitization sessions reaching 308 participants, as well as measles outbreak investigations and surveillance activities.

She also discussed how activities adapted during emergencies through customized modalities, with fellows and graduates supporting Internally Displaced Person shelter surveillance, field missions, rapid surveillance teams, and investigations in displacement settings. She highlighted the flexibility of field epidemiology programs and their role in preparedness, emergency response, and national capacity strengthening.

Sudan Experience: Contextualized Frontline Training in Fragile Settings

From his end, Mr. Ismael Aladani, EPI Manager, Sudan, presented Sudan’s experience implementing the PHEP, highlighting its competency-based and in-service approach to strengthening capacities supporting VPD surveillance, outbreak response, and routine immunization management.

He highlighted Sudan’s experience in contextualizing the model through adapted training materials, field visits, practical exercises, strengthened community-based surveillance, and integration of field activities within routine supervision systems. He further emphasized how frontline training can strengthen surveillance capacities and bridge the gap between surveillance data and public health action, while acknowledging the collaborative efforts supporting implementation, including EMPHNET and frontline surveillance teams.

Afghanistan Experience: Translating Training into Field Action

Dr. Khawaja Mir Islam Saeed, Afghanistan FETP Technical Advisor, shared Afghanistan’s experience implementing PHEP-PEO. Developed through collaboration among the Ministry of Public Health, NEPI, NEOC, EMPHNET, and CDC, the program was designed as a contextualized frontline model for subnational EPI and polio staff.

He highlighted practical field assignments including surveillance assessments, data quality activities, outbreak investigations, EPI assessments, and measles and AFP case investigations, demonstrating how field epidemiology skills translated into operational response activities.

The Afghanistan presentation can be viewed here.

Audience Discussion

The discussion focused on implementation and sustainability of immunization-focused FETP tracks in fragile settings. Participants highlighted the importance of integrating immunization within broader emergency and One Health approaches, ensuring continuous workforce capacity building, addressing zero-dose populations and vaccine hesitancy, and strengthening cross-border surveillance coordination.

Key Takeaways

The session highlighted several key messages:

• Strengthening prevention and control of VPDs requires investment in workforce capacities alongside vaccines, supplies, and immunization systems.
• Immunization-focused FETP and PHEP models strengthen surveillance, outbreak response, routine immunization, and preparedness capacities.
• Contextualization and country ownership are essential for sustainability and effective implementation.
• Field-based learning strengthens translation of training into public health action.
• Flexible FETP models can support emergency response while strengthening long-term system capacities.
• Immunization-focused FETP tracks continue to evolve toward broader emergency preparedness and workforce models.

The webinar reaffirmed the role of immunization-focused FETPs in strengthening surveillance, preparedness, and response capacities while supporting resilient immunization systems in fragile settings. Building on these efforts, EMPHNET continues to support specialized FETP tracks across the region, aligned with country-specific and regional public health priorities, to strengthen workforce capacities and preparedness for emerging public health threats.

Watch the webinar here.

Explore more sessions from the EMPHNET WEBi Series here.