BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//hacksw/handcal//NONSGML v1.0//EN BEGIN:VEVENT UID:486243a9029a39ee171b0ec270f677b0 DTSTAMP:20260604T052225Z DTSTART:20221005T090000 DTEND:20221006T170000 SUMMARY:Report on first meeting of the Regional NITAG Network Meeting of the Americas DESCRIPTION:The First Meeting of the Regional National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) Network of the America was held in Antigua, Guatemala on 5-6 October 2022. It was attended by 115 participants from across 22 countries including NITAG presidents and members and Expanded Program on Immunization managers. \nThe meeting’s main objectives were the following: \n\nLaunch the Regional NITAG Network;\nStrengthen NITAG performance; \nTrain participants in the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) Framework and on how to review scientific evidence for the formulation of recommendations; \nDiscuss the processes for evidence-based decision making on immunization issues, \nShare lessons learned from NITAGs in the Region. \n\n\nThe main next steps from the meeting are: \n\n\nDevelop a short-term action plan; \nPromote a legal basis for countries that do not have one; \nEncourage diversity of expertise among NITAG members; \nStrengthen capacities in formulating and adapting evidence-informed recommendations and implementation strategies;\nIncrease transparency among NITAGs, the public and stakeholders by centralizing communication; \nExchange experiences and lessons learned in real time; \nEncourage twinning; \nDevelop digital knowledge translation tools and resources; \nSecure funding for NITAG activities and human resources in EPIs; \n Increase education opportunities in vaccines and vaccination, \nParticipate in the Global NITAG Network (GNN).\n\n \nPhoto: Regional NITAG Network Meeting Guatemala (Credit: WHO/PAHO-M.Rondy) X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Regional NITAG Network Meeting Guatemala (Credit: WHO/PAHO Guatemala) The First Meeting of the Regional National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) Network of the America was held in Antigua, Guatemala on 5-6 October 2022. It was attended by 115 participants from across 22 countries including NITAG presidents and members and Expanded Program on Immunization managers.

The meeting’s main objectives were the following:

Launch the Regional NITAG Network;

Strengthen NITAG performance;

Train participants in the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) Framework and on how to review scientific evidence for the formulation of recommendations;

Discuss the processes for evidence-based decision making on immunization issues,

Share lessons learned from NITAGs in the Region.

The main next steps from the meeting are:

Develop a short-term action plan;

Promote a legal basis for countries that do not have one;

Encourage diversity of expertise among NITAG members;

Strengthen capacities in formulating and adapting evidence-informed recommendations and implementation strategies;

Increase transparency among NITAGs, the public and stakeholders by centralizing communication;

Exchange experiences and lessons learned in real time;

Encourage twinning;

Develop digital knowledge translation tools and resources;

Secure funding for NITAG activities and human resources in EPIs;

Increase education opportunities in vaccines and vaccination,

Participate in the Global NITAG Network (GNN).

Photo: Regional NITAG Network Meeting Guatemala (Credit: WHO/PAHO-M.Rondy)

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