GNN monthly update: October 26

Global updates

• WHO is seeking applications for the Team Lead (Vaccines and Immunization Policy) (2602203) position in IVB, serving as Executive Secretary to SAGE and leading WHO’s global vaccine policy agenda, including support to RITAGs and NITAGs. The vacancy closes on 13 October 2026. Please share this opportunity widely with qualified candidates in your network.
   
• The WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) Meeting, 5–8 October 2026) will cover topics such as the future of immunization and IA2030 implementation, Ebola vaccines for Bundibugyo virus disease outbreaks, yellow fever fractional-dose vaccination, HPV single-dose schedules, Mpox vaccination strategies, diphtheria-containing vaccines for outbreak response, and updates to polio vaccination policies in support of eradication efforts. Detailed insights can be found here.
   
• WHO published updated emergency guidance on the use of the licensed Ebola vaccine Ervebo® during Bundibugyo virus disease outbreaks (English, Français). Following a review of additional evidence by SAGE in August 2026, WHO concludes that evidence remains insufficient to determine protection against Bundibugyo virus disease and recommends vaccine use only within research protocols. An updated WHO Q&A on Ebola vaccines provides a non-technical summary for broader audiences.
   
• The 2026 MI4A public vaccine purchase dataset, released on 15 September 2026, provides procurement data from 182 countries covering the period 2005-2025. The dataset can support NITAG deliberations by providing insights into vaccine pricing, procurement trends, and market dynamics that may inform assessments of programme affordability, sustainability, and implementation feasibility.
   

Regional Updates

Eastern Mediterranean

• The second meeting in September 2026, EMR-RITAG meeting reviewed regional immunization priorities including coverage trends, zero dose and under immunized children and Gavi 6.0 planning, accelerated control of measles-rubella, maternal and neonatal tetanus, hepatitis B and meningitis, progress towards polio eradication, responses to diphtheria outbreaks, HPV vaccine introduction, and implications of upcoming SAGE recommendations for countries across the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

South East Asia 

• The 17th South-East Asia Regional Immunization Technical Advisory Group (SEAR-ITAG) meeting reviewed regional priorities related to immunity-gap assessment, surveillance optimization, data-driven targeting of under-immunized populations, life-course immunization policies (including HPV), immunization programme sustainability, and measures to prevent and respond to measles outbreaks while advancing regional measles and rubella elimination goals. 
   
• At a side event during the WHO South-East Asia Regional Committee, leaders and immunization experts discussed how stronger use of evidence, surveillance data, and national advisory processes can help prevent vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks, address immunity gaps, and protect hard-won immunization gains across the Region.

Western Pacific

• At its 14th annual meeting, the WHO Western Pacific Regional Verification Commission for Measles and Rubella Elimination reviewed regional progress towards measles and rubella elimination. The Commission concluded that 29 countries and areas have sustained elimination and called for country-owned, time-bound elimination roadmaps for the remaining nine countries. It also emphasized the role of national technical advisory bodies in guiding evidence-informed strategies to close immunity gaps, strengthen surveillance, and enhance outbreak preparedness and response.
   

National Updates

COVID-19

• ATAGI (NITAG Australia) published a statement to transition COVID-19 vaccination into the national immunization program, including different target groups for annually and bi-annually vaccination. Available in English here. 
   
• The Spanish NITAG published their revised recommendations for 2026–2027. Available in Spanish here.

Pneumococcal disease

• The Swedish NITAG updated their recommendations based on the change in the age of vaccination within the special vaccination programme from 1 September 2026, and child vaccination have been revised as PCV21 has been approved for children ≥ 2 years. Available in Swedish here. 
   
• The Slovenian NITAG updated their advise and recommends vaccination with PCV20 (or PCV21 at own expenses) for adults ≥ 65 years and children ≥ 5 years with defined health conditions. Available in Slovenian here.

RSV

• STIKO (German NITAG) now recommends clesrovimab in addition to nirsevimab for the prevention of RSV infections in all newborns and infants during their first RSV season. Available in German here.
   

Additional recommendations

• STIKO published a statement on the importance of the influenza vaccination for children and adolescents at increased health risk. Available in German here. 
   
• STIKO and the German Society for Tropical Medicine, Travel Medicine, and Global Health (DTG) updated the country tables of the travel vaccinations recommendations to include the Statement of the 45th Meeting of the Polio IHR Emergency Committee. Available in German here.

Best regards

Dr Philipp Lambach

World Health Organization

Antonia Pilic & Annika Falman

Robert Koch Institute