GNN monthly update: November 26

Global updates

• The October 2026 SAGE meeting reviewed global immunization priorities and recommendations on Ebola, yellow fever, HPV, mpox, diphtheria and polio vaccines, with important implications for NITAG decisions on schedules, target groups, outbreak response and vaccine prioritization. Key outcomes are available in the SAGE meeting highlights, with presentations in the SAGE Green Book.
• A Post-SAGE webinar for NITAGs was held to share the SAGE meeting outcomes with NITAGs and support their consideration at country level. The recording is available on the NITAG Resource Center webinar page.
• Hepatitis B birth dose, Measles, and Typhoid conjugate vaccine profiles have been added to the NITAG Resource Center Compendium, providing NITAGs and immunization stakeholders with a consolidated source of evidence to support policy discussions and programme planning.
   

Regional updates

Africa

• VACFA and the NITAG Support Hub (NISH) will host the final webinar in the New TB Vaccines in Africa Webinar Series for NITAGs on 2 December 2026 at 12:00 SAST. English, French, and Portuguese interpretation will be available. 
   
• The 21st Annual African Vaccinology Course, hosted by VACFA, will take place in Cape Town, South Africa, from 9–13 November 2026, bringing together 74 participants (43 in person and 31 online) from 30 African countries. The course aims to strengthen vaccinology and immunisation expertise across the continent. 

Americas

• Experience from the Regional NITAG Network’s twinning initiative has now been documented, highlighting strong interest in peer-to-peer collaboration and lessons from the implementation of 12 NITAG partnerships, six of which were sustained during the first year. The experience underscores the importance of institutional support, strong Secretariats, leadership and mutual benefit in sustaining NITAG collaboration.

Eastern Mediterranean

• Recent assessments of National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups (NITAGs) across the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region highlight continued progress in NITAG maturity and performance, demonstrating the value of routine assessments, targeted improvement plans, and regional capacity-building efforts in strengthening evidence-informed immunization policymaking.

South East Asia

• A recording of the World Polio Day 2026 webinar – Sustaining a Polio-Free WHO South-East Asia Region, held on 26 October 2026, is now available. It focuses on polio risk assessment, outbreak preparedness and response readiness, including technical sessions and country perspectives.
   

National updates

Avian influenza

• STIKO (German NITAG) published their resolution and scientific rationale on vaccination against zoonotic influenza A(H5). Available in German.

Dengue

• ATAGI (NITAG Australia) published a statement on the Clinical use of the Dengue vaccine Qdenga for Australians. Available in English.

COVID-19

• The Belgium NITAG published their vaccination recommendation for 2026-2027, replacing the advisory report from 2025. Available in English.
   
• The Slovenian NITAG published their vaccination recommendation for 2026-2027, available in Slovenian.

MMR

• The Belgium NITAG updated their advisory report. This modification aims to ensure earlier full protection against measles, harmonise vaccination schedules, and facilitate catch-up vaccination. Available in English.

RSV

• JCVI (NITAG UK) updated their guidance on vaccination of people with uncertain or incomplete immunisation status to include those eligible for the RSV vaccination who are aged 65 to 74 in some clinical risk groups. Available in English.
• The Slovenian NITAG published their recommendations for infants under 6 months using clesrovimab, starting in the 2026/27 season. Available in Slovenian.

Influenza

• The Slovenian NITAG published their influenza vaccination recommendations for the 2026/27 season. Available in Slovenian.

Hepatitis B

• The Dutch NITAG published their advice on occupational hepatitis B vaccination, recommending that workers in at-risk sectors who were vaccinated as infants receive a booster dose followed by an antibody titer test before starting work. Available in Dutch.
   

Recent publications

• Measuring the impact of vaccines on AMR: A new WHO technical report sets out outcomes and indicators for assessing vaccine impact on antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial use, with relevance for NITAGs when interpreting evidence to inform vaccine introduction and use.

Best regards
Dr Philipp Lambach
World Health Organization

Antonia Pilic & Annika Falman
Robert Koch Institute