15th meeting of the WHO South-East Asia regional immunization technical advisory group
Location: New Delhi, India
Dates: 20 – 23 August 2024
Participants: A total of 157 participants attended the meeting. They included members of the WHO South-East Asia regional immunization technical advisory group (SEAR-ITAG), National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups (NITAG) members, representatives from the Ministries of Health of SEAR countries, donors, partners and vaccine manufacturers.
Purpose: The overarching objective of the meeting was to provide evidence-based recommendations aimed at achieving the targets of the Regional Vaccine Implementation Plan (RVIP) 2022–2026 and review the recommendation of 14th SEAR ITAG.
Details: In August 2024, WHO South-East Asia hosted the 15th meeting of the SEAR-ITAG. The SEAR-ITAG evaluated the independent progress reports from the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) and EPI program managers. The meeting included plenary and closed-door sessions to review presentations and country reports, structured around following key elements:
1. Progress towards RVIP 2022–2026: Discussions on reducing mortality and morbidity from vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs), introducing new vaccines, deploying COVID-19 vaccines, VPD elimination/control goals with a focus on eliminating measles and rubella, eradicating polio, and controlling other VPDs, and equitable access to vaccines.
2. Country reports highlighted annual progress, challenges, and future plans.
3. Poster presentations showcasing specific initiatives like responding to outbreaks, strengthening and catch-up immunization campaigns.
4. Informational sessions covered emerging vaccines, technology transfer, Health Information strengthening, and genomic surveillance.
5. A session with key immunization partners emphasized restoring pre-pandemic immunization levels, addressing zero-dose children, scaling up HPV vaccine coverage, and eliminating MR.
This meeting also celebrated 50 years of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), “Humanly Possible” featuring videos, a selfie booth, and a yoga session. The event underscored the evolving nature of immunization partnerships and the need for continued collaboration to achieve public health goals.
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Author: Vinod BURA - WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia Coordinator, IVD SEARO.
Photo 1: WHO-SEARO, Yoga session at the 15th meeting of SEAR-ITAG, August 2024 to celebrate 50 years of EPI, demonstrating importance of vaccines in all age groups
Photo 2: WHO-SEARO: Opening session at 15th meeting of SEAR-ITAG, August 2024