GNN monthly update: June 2026

Global Updates

• Ten additional countries across several regions joined the GNN in 2026, representing a 10% increase and bringing our GNN membership to a total of 132 countries.
• WHO issues emergency guidance on Bundibugyo outbreak and R&D prioritization: Following rapid SAGE Working Group deliberations in May 2026, the SAGE Secretariat has published new WHO Emergency Guidance to inform response efforts, alongside R&D Blueprint Technical Advisory Group reports on vaccine prioritization and therapeutics prioritization for Bundibugyo virus disease—supporting coordinated, evidence‑based decision‑making for outbreak preparedness). In parallel, Gavi has reaffirmed its support to affected countries in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda—underscoring coordinated global efforts to accelerate evidence‑based R&D and outbreak preparedness.
   
• Webinar on Prioritising Combination Vaccines & NITAG Survey Launch, 06 May 2026,  provided an overview of WHO and PATH’s framework to identify programmatically suitable and feasible combination vaccines, including emerging findings and the role of country input in shaping R&D priorities, alongside launch of a Global NITAG Network survey to gather national perspectives. Recordings are available in English, French and Spanish.

Regional Updates

Region of Africa

• 2026 NITAG Partners’ Retreat in Cape Town, 3–4 June 2026, will bring global and regional partners together to coordinate support for Vaccine Prioritization and Portfolio Optimization (VPOP) in countries. The meeting will review partner activities, share SAGE guidance, and identify collaborative, resource‑efficient strategies to strengthen NITAG and EPI decision‑making. 

Region of the Eastern Mediterranean

• Pakistan and Iraq have notified new National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups (NITAGs) in 2026, to enhance country-led capacity for evidence-based immunization policy and decision-making.

Region of South East Asia

• NMAT assessments from 10 countries in the South-East Asia Region have now been published on the NITAG Resource Center dashboard, providing a comprehensive overview of NITAG maturity across the region and highlighting technical performance alongside areas for further strengthening in governance, operations, and institutionalization.

Region of Western Pacific

• Consultation on achieving measles and rubella elimination by 2030 in the Western Pacific Region with nine countries was held in Manila from 12-14 May 2026.

National Updates

Influenza

• JCVI (NITAG UK) updated the flu vaccination programme for primary schools 2025/2026.
• NACI (NITAG Canada) published the Statement on seasonal influenza vaccines for 2026–2027 and the Summary of NACI statement of May 2026: Statement on seasonal influenza vaccines for 2026–2027. Available in English and French.

RSV

• NACI updated the Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines chapter of the Canadian Immunization Guide (CIG).

Tick borne encephalitis (TBE)

• The Swedish NITAG published their recommendations against TBE. Available in Swedish.

Additional recommendations

• The Belgium NITAG updated the Basic Immunization Schedule, available in Dutch and French.
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Recent publications

• Pentavalent to Hexavalent Vaccine Evidence to Recommendation Evidence for National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups (NITAGs).
• An evaluation of a multifaceted training program to build National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) capacity for making evidence-based immunization policy.