Organisers: EAACI Immunotherapy Interest Group and Finnish National Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology

Allergen-specific immunotherapy is a unique treatment for allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma. Its is a very effective form of treatment in venom allergy. Its mechanisms involve modified as well as tolerogenic immune responses, leading to a decrease in symptoms, less medication use, better quality of life and long term benefits. New developments for subcutaneous and sublingual application routes provide promising therapeutic options and will fuel basic and clinical research improving our understanding of allergic diseases and further generating health benefits for allergic individuals accross Europe.

The aim of this Allergy School is to educate and stimulate the social contacts between young physicians from all over Europe interested in diagnosis and treatment of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, asthma and venom allergy applying allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT) via subcutaneous (SCIT) and sublingual (SLIT) routes.

Upon completion of this course participants should be able to:
1. Understand the mechanisms of allergen-specific immunotherapy (SCIT and SLIT) with inhalants
2. Apply diagnostic tools, indications and contraindications to identify suitable subjects for SIT
3. Select preparations for SCIT and SLIT considering clinical documentation and individual factors
4. Manage allergic individuals with different approaches for SIT, considering safety and risk factors.

Scientific Programme
The course will include lectures which communicate basic and advanced knowledge (basic principles, clinical manifestations, indications for allergy testing, diagnostic methods, interpretation of results, novel diagnostic tests), interactive practical demonstration of skin tests and discussion of clinical cases. All sessions will be held in English.
Click here to view the Final Programme.

Target Audience:
Young physicians working in the field of allergy. In order to achieve an intimate and collegial atmosphere, to leave plenty of space for discussion and obtain optimum conditions for practical aspects, the number of participants will be limited to 60.

CME Accreditation
The event will be CME accredited.

Arrival
The airport nearest to Saariselka is Ivalo (Distance from Saariselka 25 km)  - http://www.finavia.fi/airports/airport_ivalo. Ivalo airport is the northernmost airport in Finland, and also the oldest passenger airport in Lapland. Ivalo has good connections to Helsinki, northern Norway and Murmansk.

There is a direct bus connection from the airport to the Tunturi Hotel in Saariselka (http://www.finavia.fi/airports/airport_ivalo?pg=1091643). The bus departs from the airport after baggage claim to Saariselka (Prices: Saariselka 8,50(adults)/ 4,30 (4-11 years)).

Venue and Accommodation

The Allergy School will take place in Saariselka Tunturi Hotel in building called Gielas, the most functional meeting & conference centre in Saariselka. Gielas was opened at the end of November 2008. 

Saariselka Tunturi Hotel
SAARISELAN TUNTURIHOTELLIT OY
Lutontie 3
P.O.Box 4 FIN-99830 SAARISELKA
Tel. +358-16-68 111
Sales office: +358-16-681 501
Fax. +358-16-668 771
Email sales@tunturihotelli.fi
http://www.tunturihotelli.fi

Social activities

Saariselka is a mountain area and a village located in northern Lapland and it is a popular tourist destination, providing activities such as skiing, hiking and a spa. (http://www.saariselka.fi).
There will be free time for winter sports between the morning and afternoon sessions. Fore more information please visit:
http://www.tunturihotelli.fi/In_English/MICE/Activities.iw3?ProductID=884
http://www.tunturihotelli.fi/In_English/Events/Week_programs.iw3?ProductID=332
A get-Together party and off-site dinner in an exotic Lapland restaurant will be organised for all participants.

Registration fee
The registration will be open until 1 March 2011. We expect participants from all over Europe.
Please note that the registration will be closed before 1 March in case that the expected number of registrations (60) is reached.

EAACI Junior Member    EUR 250
EAACI Member              EUR 350            
Non Member                 EUR 500

The registration fee includes accommodation in a single room (3 nights), social events and all meals (except dinner on Saturday 2 April).
Click here to download the registration form.

Travel grants
A limited number of travel grants will be provided. Priority will be given to participants from low income countries and EAACI Junior members. If you wish to apply for a travel grant you need to present an abstract.
Click here to download the travel grant application form.

Abstract Submission
Submission of abstracts is not obligatory but encouraged. Only abstracts in the field of allergy and immunotherapy can be considered. Both scientific work and case presentations are welcome.
For abstract submission guidelines and abstract submission click here.


We are looking forward to seeing you in Saariselka.

For more information on logistic aspects please contact

EAACI HQ
Sladjana Scepan
Genferstrasse 21, 8002 Zurich
Tel: + 41 44 205 55 33
Fax: + 41 44 205 55 39
E-Mail: allergyschools@eaaci.net


For more information on the programme please contact

Harri Alenius
President, Finnish National Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Head, Unit of Excellence for Immunotoxicology
Finnish Institute of Occupational Health
Topeliuksenkatu 41aA
FIN-00250 Helsinki
Tel: +358 30 474 2175
Fax: +358 30 474 2116
E-mail: Harri.Alenius@ttl.fi

Erkka Valovirta
Pediatrician, Pediatric Allergist
Chief Paediatrician and Paediatric Allergist
Suomen Terveystalo AllergyClinic Turku
Aninkaistenkatu 13
FIN-20100 Turku, Finland
tel +358 30 63 33000
fax +358 30 63 36002
gsm +358 40 5102101
www.terveystalo.com
E-Mail: Erkka.Valovirta@terveystalo.com

Moises Calderon
EAACI  Immunotheray Interest group Secretary
Imperial College London, NHLI
Royal Brompton Hospital
Dovehouse Street
London SW3 6LY
Tel: + 44 20 7351 8024
Fax:+ 44 20 7349 7780
Email: m.calderon@imperial.ac.uk



Supported by an unrestricted grant from EAMG