Vaccine Portfolio Optimization and Prioritization (VPOP) is an evidence-informed, country-led decision-making process that helps national immunization programmes and NITAGs systematically assess and prioritize their immunization investments. Rather than evaluating vaccines one at a time, VPOP takes a whole-portfolio view.
VPOP comprises two complementary processes:
- Optimization: A structured process for improving vaccines already in the programme — examining changes to product choice, presentation, schedule or delivery strategy to maximize impact, efficiency and sustainability within available resources.
- Prioritization: A structured process for identifying new or upcoming vaccines for introduction — determining which to introduce, and in what order, based on disease burden, health impact, equity, feasibility and national priorities.
This VPOP Toolkit, developed by the World Health Organization in collaboration with UNICEF and Development Catalysts, supports countries in implementing VPOP exercises through a structured, evidence-informed approach. Unlike traditional single-antigen policy reviews, the VPOP approach encourages a comprehensive portfolio view — considering the full range of vaccines in use or under consideration for introduction together, rather than in isolation — weighing multiple vaccines or portfolio changes against each other using agreed criteria, transparent assessment, and structured deliberation. This approach does not replace the Evidence to Recommendation (EtR) process, through which NITAGs, conduct a full evidence appraisal when formulating formal policy recommendations.
How to use the VPOP Toolkit
Prioritization and optimization can be implemented independently or as a combined VPOP exercise, depending on national objectives and priorities. Both processes share a common methodological foundation: evidence-informed deliberation, multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) and a three-phased workshop-based approach. To enable easy use of the Toolkit, supporting materials are split into the following categories:
- Shared VPOP resources (VPOP)
- Optimization – specific resources (OPTI)
- Prioritization – specific resources (PRIO)
The Toolkit contains three types of supporting materials
- Guidance — Primary document that provides complete or summarized guidance on the VPOP process.
- Reference — Reference material that guides completion of a specific-step in the VPOP exercise.
- Template — Any document, regardless of file type, that can be directly populated or modified by a country to support the VPOP exercise.
| Phase 0 Preparation | Phase 1 Framework adaptation | Phase 2 Assessment, appraisal & sequencing | Phase 3 Recommendations | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Key activities | Convene core team Confirm configuration, mandate and timeline Preparatory analysis Portfolio review (OPTI) or situation analysis (PRIO) Develop workplan Align milestones to NIS, Gavi applications or procurement deadlines | Online session Introduce methodology; gather stakeholder inputs; distribute questionnaire (PRIO) Workshop 1 (1–2 days) Validate scope; select criteria and weightings; confirm evidence collection plan | Evidence collection Collect, assess and synthesize evidence by criterion and option or vaccine Workshop 2 (1–3 days) Review evidence; rank options; develop sequencing scenarios | Prepare recommendations Consolidate Phase 2 outputs into recommendations package Seek endorsement Present to NITAG, EPI leadership, ICC, MoH Integrate into planning Update NIS, procurement plans, Gavi applications |
| Shared resources | VPOP 0.1 Introductory module VPOP 0.2 Generic Country Concept Note VPOP 1.1 Criteria & indicators | |||
| Optimization (OPTI) | OPTI Optimization tool OPTI 0.2 Stakeholders engagement slidedeck OPTI 0.3 Workplan | OPTI 1.1 List of Optimization Questions OPTI 1.2 Data collection matrix | Resources Pending | |
| Prioritization (PRIO) | PRIO New Vaccine Introduction Prioritization and Sequencing Toolkit (NVI-PST) PRIO NVI-PST eLearning facilitator module PRIO 0.1 Partner Terms of Reference PRIO 0.2 Stakeholder engagement slide deck PRIO 0.3 Workplan | PRIO 1.1 Prioritized list of criteria and indicators PRIO 1.2 Criteria & Vaccines Questionnaire PRIO 1.3 Online session slide deck PRIO 1.4 Workshop 1: Framework Adaptation PRIO 1.5 Data collection matrix PRIO 1.6 Google form result analysis | PRIO 2.1 Ranking Calculations model PRIO 2.2 Guide to collecting evidence PRIO 2.3 Workshop 2 slide deck | |
| Outputs | Confirmed VPOP approach (prioritization, optimization or both) Named core team with roles and responsibilities Workplan aligned to downstream deadlines | Validated shortlist of questions (OPTI) or new vaccine candidates (PRIO) Decision criteria with agreed weightings Evidence collection plan with assigned leads | Ranked preferred options (OPTI) or priority vaccine list (PRIO) Sequencing scenarios | Formally endorsed recommendations Updated NIS, operational and procurement plans Implementation roadmap |
| Typical duration | 2–4 weeks | 4–8 weeks | 3 months (prioritization) · 1–3 months (optimization) 3–4 months (combined) | 2 months (prioritization) 1 month (optimization) 2 months (combined) |
