GNN monthly update: July 23

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Dear all,

 

Below are the latest recommendations from NITAGs sharing or publishing their recommendations. Feel free to reach out to me if you would like to add your NITAG work in the next updates.

 

COVID-19:

  • In Canada, theNACI Guidance on the use of COVID-19 vaccines in the fall of 2023 (PDF) is now available online.
  • In France, the NITAG updated the recommendations relating to the concomitant administration of vaccines against Covid-19 and against seasonal influenza, available here.
  • In Germany, STIKO translated in English their Decision on the implementation of the COVID-19 vaccination into the general recommendations for 2023, available here.
  • In the Netherlands, the NITAG issued their advice on the routine vaccination programme against COVID-19. The Health Council’s Sub-Committee on COVID-19 Vaccinations recommends offering, as of now, annual vaccinations to people over 60 and at-risk groups starting from autumn 2023. More information here.

 

PCV :

ACIP issued several recommendations at its June meeting:

  • Use of either pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV) PCV15 or PCV20 is recommended for all children aged 2–23 months according to currently recommended PCV dosing and schedules.
  • For children with an incomplete PCV vaccination status, use of either PCV15 or PCV20 according to currently recommended PCV dosing and schedules is recommended for:
  • Healthy children aged 24–59 months
  • Children with specified health conditions(2) aged 24 through 71 months
For children aged 2–18 years with any risk condition who have received all recommended doses of PCV before age 6 years
  • Using ≥1 dose(s) of PCV20: No additional doses of any pneumococcal vaccine are indicated. This recommendation may be updated as additional data become available.
  • Using PCV13 or PCV15 (no PCV20): A dose of PCV20 or PPSV23 using previously recommended dosing and schedules is recommended.
For children aged 6–18 years with any risk condition who have not received any dose of PCV13, PCV15, or PCV20, a single dose of PCV15 or PCV20 is recommended.  When PCV15 is used, it should be followed by a dose of PPSV23 at least 8 weeks later if not previously given.

 

RSV:

  • ACIP recommends that adults 60 years of age and older may receive a single dose of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine, using shared clinical decision-making. The recommendation will be issued later.

 

Rabies:

The Gavi Board decided at their recent meeting in June 2023 to unpause new Gavi vaccine programmes in lower-income countries. Gavi will initiate the support to roll out the rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) strategy: a one-week, three-dose regimen. As planning and programming commence, NITAGs of countries looking to draw on this opportunity may want to start preparing for rabies PEP introduction.

Here are some resources for reference:

WHO would be happy to host a webinar dedicated to rabies vaccines should there be interest.

 

All diseases:

  • STIKO (Germany) compiled all their 2023 recommendations in English in Epidemiologisches Bulletin, available here. It includes recommendations on catch-up vaccinations.

 

SAGE:

  • The next meeting will be held on September 25 – 29 2023. The draft agenda is available here. All NITAG members can join online if they are interested in following the discussion. Please write to SAGE secretariat This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and Louise Henaff This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you wish to receive an invitation.
  • SAGE is moving to a Covid-19 vaccine platform approach (e.g mRNA vaccines, Inactivated vaccines,…) rather than product specific recommendations. The mRNA vaccines recommendations have already been consolidated: https://www.who.int/groups/strategic-advisory-group-of-experts-on-immunization/covid-19-materials

 

Partners:

  • The Robert Koch Institute is conducting a survey with representatives of NITAGs to find out about your experiences gathering and using evidence when developing vaccine-related recommendations and your feedback on the SYSVAC registry and e- learning courses. The information will be used to determine where further improvement of the SYSVAC registry and e-learning courses is warranted to help ensure they meet your needs. The results of the data analysis will only be reported in aggregate, anonymous form. To access the survey, please click on the following link: https://befragungen.rki.de/sense

Best wishes and happy month of Augsut,

Louise

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