The (S)NLWG is a structured mechanism for ensuring efficient, equitable, and resilient immunization supply chains. Its work spans policy-setting, operations, technical oversight, and accountability to national and international health priorities. Through strong governance, expert membership, conflict-of-interest safeguards, and rigorous monitoring, NLWGs play a critical role in strengthening vaccine delivery systems to ensure timely availability, quality, and equitable distribution of vaccines and related commodities, while also supporting health system strengthening.
| Title | Author | Year | Type | Language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Generic TORs & Templates- Immunization Programme's National Logistics Working Groups (NLWGs) | UNICEF | 2025 | Guidance | English, French, Russian, Spanish |
| TdR et modèles génériques - Groupes de travail nationaux sur la logistique du Programme de vaccination | UNICEF | 2025 | Guidance | French, English, Russian, Spanish |
| TdR genéricos y plantillas- Grupos de Trabajo Logísticos Nacionales (NLWGs) del Programa de Inmunización | UNICEF | 2025 | Guidance | Spanish, English, French, Russian |
| Общие ТЗ и шаблоны - Национальные рабочие группы по логистике Программы иммунизации (NLWG) | UNICEF | 2025 | Guidance | Russian, English, French, Spanish |
Terms of Reference for members
The generic TOR provides a comprehensive template for country stakeholders to institutionalize the (S)NLWGs, establish mechanisms for systematic group operations, mitigate risks and conflicts of interest, and position the group for success. With the central aim of ensuring vaccine and cold chain management systems deliver potent vaccines in a timely fashion at all levels, (S)NLWGs maturity must be premised on four thematic areas- Institutional (Governance & Policy), Strategic, Operational, and Technical Expertise.
Composition, membership, and governance
An NLWG typically consists of diverse members including EPI managers/directors, supply chain directors/managers, logisticians, cold chain managers, MoH officials, data managers, UNICEF/WHO representatives, CSOs, implementing partners, and private sector stakeholders. Additional sub-national officers may join as needed. The NLWG reports to the Interagency Coordinating Committee (ICC) and the national immunization programme. The chairperson, usually the most senior MoH supply chain director/manager, leads the group, supported by an executive secretary.
(S)NLWGs operations
- Meetings: Held with scheduled frequency, with quorum and voting rules. Agendas are circulated in advance, and minutes are confidential but shared internally. Experts may be invited as guests, though commercial influence is restricted.
- Workplans: Annual workplans are developed, aligned with NIS, CIPs, and national strategies, and reviewed biannually.
- Monitoring: NLWG tracks performance using direct indicators (e.g., vaccine stock-outs, cold chain capacity, cIP monitoring, EVM scores) and indirect indicators (coverage, morbidity reduction). Functionality indicators include existence of formal ToR, regular meetings, workplans, and evidence-based decision-making.
- Conflicts of Interest: Members must declare conflicts regularly.