Abstract
The year came to an end with the 6th Global NITAG Network meeting in Marrakesh from 25-27 November, and the report will be published in January. Fifty countries joined us onsite, and twenty more participated online. The meeting also marked the Network's 10th anniversary, a milestone celebrated with heartfelt emotion.
NITAGs credibility at stake :
- Similar to ACIP, nominations of new NITAG members in Italy have been questioned. A recent paper 'The NITAG debate in Italy: an opportunity for prevention' highlights the importance of transparent nomination processes and emphasizes the need for a diversity of expertise. The article is available here.
RSV:
- NIAC (Irish NITAG) updated their recommendations for vaccination against respiratory syncytial virus in older adults, available here.
Herpes Zoster:
- STIKO (German NITAG) extended the indication for herpes zoster vaccinations with the adjuvanted subunit vaccine for individuals aged 18+ years with an increased risk of developing herpes zoster. The new recommendation replaces the previously valid HZ vaccination recommendation which applied to persons aged 50+ years. The recommendation is available in German here.
COVID-19 :
- The French NITAG evaluated the new data available for the NUVAXOVID vaccine, from the SANOFI WINTHROP INDUSTRIE laboratory, adapted to circulating strains from the BA.5 sub-variant of Omicron (NVX-CoV2540), in heterologous booster, and to determine whether this data allows for a change in the place of this vaccine in the current French vaccination strategy against COVID-19. The NITAG considers that the NUVAXOVID vaccine can be used within the scope of its marketing authorization, in the same way as mRNA vaccines, provided it demonstrates the same level of adaptability to the most recent circulating strains, for annual vaccination for active immunization to prevent COVID-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus in people aged 12 years and over at risk of severe illness, regardless of their vaccination status. Pending further data, the HAS recommends using mRNA vaccines for the vaccination of pregnant women. Full advice available in French here.
GNN
- The report of the Global NITAG secretariat survey 2025 is available here.
- The GNN meeting presentations are available here.
SAGE
- The WHO position paper on varicella vaccines was published on 21 November 2025 and is now available on the SAGE website here.
- The September SAGE meeting report is now available: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/who-wer10049-605-626
- We are currently updating the mailing list of NITAG members who wish to receive invitations to observe SAGE meetings online. If you would like to be included, please contact Dilber (gunlud@who.int). Kindly note that there is no limit on the number of NITAG members per country.
WHO
- The IA2030 Mid-Term Review has been published and is available here. It provides a timely assessment of global immunization progress at the halfway point of the decade. Despite unprecedented challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical instability, climate disruptions, and constrained financing, immunization efforts over the past five years have averted millions of deaths and introduced life-saving vaccines in many countries. Yet, despite these efforts, most IA2030 targets remain off-track. The key indicators show persistent gaps in routine coverage, equity, and outbreak prevention across many countries.
NITAG Recommendation
