In November 2009, Dr. Jos Vandelaer was appointed Head of UNICEF’s global Immunization program where he leads strategy development and program management and coordination. Dr. Vandelaer has been working in immunization since 1996.
From 2001 to 2009, Dr. Vandelaer served as a Senior Health Specialist in Geneva as a Global-level WHO focal point for the Neonatal Tetanus Elimination program. He also advised on immunization issues that included policy and strategy development, and provided scientific advice.
Prior to that, Dr. Vandelaer had served in WHO as a Medical Officer in India, Philippines, and Myanmar where he proved technical advice on immunization and polio eradication, as well as assisting the Ministry of Health in successfully eradicating polio. He also planned measles and tetanus vaccination campaigns, and strengthened routine immunization.
Dr. Vandelaer holds a Medical Doctor degree from the Univeristy of Leuven (Belgium), and a Masters degree in Public Health from Harvard University (USA). He speaks English, French and Dutch and is a national of Belgium.
