IPPA is pleased to introduce a refreshed approach to our educational programming: beginning in 2026, IPPA will alternate annually between Regional Events and a Global Summit. This new model allows us to deepen engagement within each region while continuing to convene our full global community every other year.

 

As part of this structure, the upcoming Africa Regional Event will take place on May 14–15, 2026, in Nairobi, Kenya. Although this meeting is designed with a strong regional focus—highlighting needs, challenges, and best practices relevant to Africa—we warmly welcome all panel physicians worldwide who wish to attend.

 

Registration will open very soon. To ensure fair access and strong regional participation, panel physicians based in Africa will receive priority registration in the first wave, followed by a second wave of registration for panel physicians from all other regions.

 

Our team is actively coordinating with the M5HWG, especially with Australia and New Zealand, to finalize the educational program, align topics, and deliver an impactful learning experience tailored to regional needs.

 

We will keep everyone posted with more information as it becomes available.

Stay tuned and we look forward to welcoming you in Nairobi.

On November 21, 2025, CDC updated the Addendum to Technical Instructions for Vaccinations: Polio to reflect the latest country updates, as follows:

 

New Countries (1): Burkina Faso.

 

Included cVDPV2 Countries with New Serotypes

New cVDPV1 (3): Algeria, Djibouti, and Israel.

New cVDPV3 (2): Cameroon and Chad.

 

Removed Countries (10): Egypt, French Guiana, Guinea, Indonesia, Kenya, Liberia, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.New Countries (10): Djibouti, Finland, French Guinea, Gaza, Germany, Ghana, Guyana, Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom of Great Britian and Northern Ireland.

 

We are excited to announce a Best Practices Session on Continuing Education, Training, and Professional Development. This will be an opportunity to discuss the topic with fellow panel physicians. It will be a highly interactive session, so please only attend if you are willing to participate. Come ready with a working microphone and camera (if desired). 

 

Join us December 10, 2025 at 9-10:15 am EST 

Use this meeting link

 

Per the Tuberculosis Technical Instructions, panel physicians must use an FDA-approved or WHO-approved IGRA blood test. The WHO recently approved an additional IGRA blood test, STANDARD E TB-Feron ELISA. With this addition, the four IGRA blood tests that can be used for the immigrant medical exam are (1) QuantiFERON (FDA-approved), (2) T-Spot (FDA-approved), (3) Wantai (WHO-approved), and (4) STANDARD E TB-Feron ELISA (WHO-approved). 

 

Documenting the STANDARD E TB-Feron ELISA for the Immigrant Medical Exam

 

The STANDARD E TB-Feron ELISA does not appear on eMedical or the DS form. To document use of the STANDARD E TB-Feron ELISA on the DS-3030, indicate the date drawn, result, and optical density values of the test. Because the STANDARD E TB-Feron ELISA is a single antigen test, repeat the Antigen Value for Antigen 1 and Antigen 2. Use the remarks to indicate that the STANDARD E TB-Feron ELISA was used.

 

To document use of the STANDARD E TB-Feron ELISA in eMedical, select QuantiFERON as the test, indicate the result and optical density values (repeat antigen value for both Antigen 1 and Antigen 2). In “general supporting comments”, indicate the STANDARD E TB-Feron ELISA was used. Be sure to submit the lab report as an attachment. 

 

Earlier today, the ACIP committee voted for changes in the Hepatitis B vaccine recommendations for the children’s immunization schedule. However, it is unclear how those votes will affect the Vaccination Technical Instructions in the future.

 

Please continue to follow the Vaccination Technical Instructions as currently posted online. We will continue to monitor the situation and will notify you if the Technical Instructions are changed.