Elsevier

Vaccine

Volume 28, Supplement 1, 19 April 2010, Pages A18-A25
Vaccine

National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups (NITAGs): Guidance for their establishment and strengthening

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2010.02.027Get rights and content

Abstract

The majority of industrialized and some developing countries have formally established national technical advisory bodies to guide immunization policies; other countries are working towards or contemplating the establishment of such bodies. These advisory bodies are often referred to as National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups (NITAGs). A NITAG is a technical resource supplying guidance to national policy makers and programme managers to enable them to make evidence-based immunization related policy and program decisions. The focus of this paper is to: (1) review the value and functions of a NITAG; (2) provide directions and identify issues for countries to consider when establishing or improving the functioning of a NITAG; and (3) outline potential WHO and partners’ roles and activities in support of the establishment and strengthening of NITAGs.

Section snippets

Background

While for many years, at both the global and the country levels, the focus of immunization programmes has been on infants and a limited number of traditional vaccines, the vaccine world has evolved with new demands and expectations of global and national policy makers, donors, other interested parties, and the public. The development and availability of several new vaccines targeting a variety of age groups, the emergence of new technologies, the increased public focus on vaccine safety issues,

Value, roles and functions of a National Immunization Technical Advisory Group

A NITAG is both a technical resource and a deliberative body to empower the national authorities and policy makers to make evidence-based decisions. Such a resource is particularly important in view of the complex and vast bodies of evidence and the global interdependence and integration of health systems.

A well balanced and institutionalized group can aid a national programme to resist pressure from any interest or lobby group with narrow scopes or interests, including, but not only, that of

Guidance for the membership and mode of operation of a NITAG

The following discussion identifies elements that need to be well defined in the membership and mode of operations of a NITAG. The proposed structure for NITAGs outlined below may in part be seen as an example towards which to aim, but it is well accepted that establishing a fully functional NITAG may take a number of years. Furthermore, the guidance provided below is general guidance and the optimal process for reaching the best evidence-based decisions may vary from country to country. Each

WHO's and partners’ roles and support for the establishment, strengthening and functioning of NITAGs

WHO has placed a high priority on the development of national decision making process and capabilities. The directions for countries to consider when establishing or improving the functioning of a NITAG take time and are not always easy to follow as many countries do not always have the culture of elements such as the independence of expertise, a clearly defined approach in the case of conflict of interest and a well established evidence based process for decision making. In most of the

Conflict of interest

Philippe Duclos has no financial interests relevant to this paper.

Acknowledgements

To Lara Wolfson who contributed to the development of the initial guidance document. To Abdoul-Reza Esteghamati, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Teheran; Steve Landry, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; Noni MacDonald, Dalhousie University; Bjorn Melgaard; and Jean Smith US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention who reviewed and provided insight on the initial guidance document. With particular thanks to Noni MacDonald and Jean Smith for their review of this paper and useful

References (48)

  • World Health Organization and UNICEF. GIVS global immunization vision and strategy 2006–2015. Geneva: World Health...
  • Meeting of the immunization Strategic Advisory Group of Experts, November 2006—conclusions and recommendations. Weekly...
  • GAVI Alliance. [Online] Available from:...
  • IFFim Supporting GAVI. [Online] Available from: URL:...
  • P. Berger et al.

    Vaccination anti-hépatite B: après la décision du Secrétaire d’Etat à la Santé

    La Presse médicale

    (1999)
  • Guidelines for National Interagency Coordinating Committees. Brazzaville: World Health Organization, AFRO/EPI;...
  • Indian Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Immunization (IAPCOI) Consensus recommendations on immunization, 2008. Indian...
  • Red Book Online; 2009. 〈http://aapredbook.aappublications.org/resources/〉 [accessed...
  • J.C. Smith et al.

    Immunization policy development in the United States: the role of the Advisory Committee on immunization practices

    Ann Inter Med

    (2009)
  • D.M. Salisbury

    Development of immunization policy and its implementation in the United Kingdom

    Health Aff

    (2005)
  • G.L. Freed

    The structure and function of immunization advisory committees in Western Europe

    Child Health Hum Vacc

    (2008)
  • Leclerc C. Comprendre et construire le groupe. Chronique Sociale, Les presses de l’université Laval. Quebec, Canada;...
  • Mucchielli R. La dynamique des groupes: connaissance du problème, applications pratiques Formation permanente en...
  • Hunt J. Core concepts of organizational behaviors. The Nature of Groups PowerPoint presentation for a course delivered...
  • Cited by (91)

    • Criteria for New Vaccine Introduction in a National Expanded Program on Immunization: A Survey of Expanded Program on Immunization Managers

      2022, Value in Health Regional Issues
      Citation Excerpt :

      The independence of the NITAGs is critical in accordance with their goals and necessary legitimacy. A NITAG is both a technical resource and a deliberative body to empower the national authorities and policy makers to make evidence-based decisions.14 The report found here about the lack independence of some NITAGs could be biased about the composition of this instance and their role in the DM.

    • Critical success factors for routine immunization performance: A case study of Zambia 2000 to 2018

      2022, Vaccine: X
      Citation Excerpt :

      Zambia decision-makers value the NITAG as a “key component of the governance system” (Ministry of Health Officer) that complements the ICC’s decision-making by providing context-specific recommendations [24]. The distinct roles between the ICC and NITAG accommodate improved integration of both bodies within national decision-making, a vital component for the success of a NITAG [22,23]. This is a component of the coordination mechanism of success as the alignment of priorities towards a common strategic vision enhanced vaccine program performance.

    View all citing articles on Scopus

    Disclaimer: The author alone is responsible for the views expressed in this publication and they do not necessarily represent the decisions, policy or views of the World Health Organization.

    View full text