Dear Colleagues,
We are pleased to the following updates with you:
Next meeting of the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) - 9–12 March 2026 in Geneva.
The agenda and yellow book include several policy-relevant discussions of direct interest to NITAGs and RITAGs:
- IA2030 midterm review
- Future of immunization policy-making
- Vaccine portfolio optimisation and prioritisation (VPOP)
- Typhoid vaccination policy
- Updated COVID-19 vaccination recommendations across population groups
- Polio eradication policy issues
GNN will keep NITAGS informed by hosting a webinar on 18 March, 13:00–14:30 CET, to unpack the SAGE agenda and highlight potential implications for countries.
See below Upcoming GNN webinars for dial in details.
Save the date – World Immunization Week – 24-30 April 2026
Under the theme “For every generation, vaccines work” World Immunization Week 2026 will highlight how vaccines have protected communities for generations and continue to safeguard our future. The campaign builds confidence in vaccination and supports health workers to respond with empathy and transparency to concerns about vaccines and the diseases they prevent.
Learn more about the campaign.
Call for nominations to serve on the SAGE Working Group on Yellow Fever Vaccines
Please consider the following link or share with appropriate experts in your networks.
Best regards
Dr Philipp Lambach
World Health Organization
Upcoming GNN webinar:
Upcoming soon: SAGE digest – March 2026
Location: Webinar (recording will be made available here)
Date: 18 March 13:00 (UTC+1) 2026
The webinar will be broadcasted live at:
https://who.zoom.us/j/93953926204
Password: GNN-Sage1
A recording be made available at:
https://www.nitag-resource.org/webinars.
Pneumococcal Vaccine – April 2026
Location: Webinar (recording will be made available here)
Date: 22 April 13:00 (UTC+1) 2026
Key updates from NITAGs
Rabies:
- NACI (Canadian NITAG) updated their Guidance for the use of rabies vaccine for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for individuals at increased risk for rabies exposures and provides guidance on PEP schedules for those who have been previously vaccinated. Available in English and French.
Chikungunya:
- The French NITAG published their vaccination strategy for individuals aged ≥ 12 years in a framing note. Available in French.
COVID-19:
- The French NITAG updated their recommendation in use of NUVAXOVID. Available in French.
Varicella:
- Erratum from February - Update: The French NITAG published their scoping document against chickenpox in infants ≤ 12 months of age, available in French.
Additional recommendations
- JCVI (UK NITAG) updated their guide to vaccination of individuals with uncertain or incomplete immunisation status.
Recent WHO publications/news
