WHO convenes first biannual 2026 RITAG meeting to advance immunization priorities in the Eastern Mediterranean

Dates: 11-12 February 2026

Venue: Cairo, Egypt

Participants: 

• Regional Immunization Technical Advisory Group (RITAG) Members
• Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) Chair
• National immunization programme representatives
• UNICEF Middle East and North Africa (MENA)
• Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network (EMPHNET)
• WHO EMRO technical teams
• WHO Headquarters technical teams

Purpose: The first biannual 2026 meeting of the Regional Immunization Technical Advisory Group (RITAG) for the Eastern Mediterranean Region brought together regional and global immunization experts, national programme representatives and partners in Cairo to review routine immunization performance, identify barriers to equitable coverage, discuss priorities for introducing new and under-utilized vaccines, assess the epidemiology of vaccine-preventable diseases (including polio), and agree on technical recommendations to inform decisions by the WHO Regional Director and guide the next phase of regional and country immunization planning.

Details: Over two days, participants reviewed routine immunization performance across the Region and discussed country experiences, with a focus on practical approaches to close persistent coverage gaps and reach underserved communities.

RITAG members and partners examined progress and challenges in introducing new and under-utilized vaccines and reviewed the evolving epidemiology of vaccine-preventable diseases, including polio, underscoring the importance of maintaining high population immunity to prevent outbreaks. Discussions highlighted the need for strong surveillance systems, timely data use for decision-making, and effective service delivery strategies, including targeted outreach and improved community engagement, to reach children who have missed routine vaccination.

The meeting also noted progress through the Big Catch-Up initiative over a 12-month period, including reaching 3.1 million zero-dose children with pentavalent vaccine (dose 1) and 5.7 million children with a measles-containing vaccine. The meeting concluded with agreed technical recommendations to support the next phase of regional and country planning and strengthen routine immunization and outbreak prevention efforts.

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Author: Osama Mere
World Health Organization (WHO) – Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (EMRO)
A/Coordinator, Immunization

Photo: Meeting Group Picture