Progress in the establishment and strengthening of national immunization technical advisory groups: Analysis from the 2013 WHO/UNICEF joint reporting form, data for 2012

Highlights

•Every country which has an ambition for a strong national immunization programme should benefit from a NITAG.

•Process indicators related to NITAGs have been included in the WHO/UNICEF Joint Reporting Form since the 2011 form which collected data for 2010.

•By the end of 2012, 63 (33%) countries (including 38 developing countries) reported a NITAG that met six process indicators, representing a 47% increase compared with 2010.

•A special approach needs to be explored to allow small countries to benefit from sub-regional or other countries advisory groups.

•Progress needs to be accelerated to reach the target of the Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP).