Special Note from the Director, Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals
As we begin the New Year, the Global Network of National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups (GNN) continues to play a central role in supporting the effective functioning of the global immunization policy ecosystem. In an increasingly complex policy environment, the need for independent, high-quality, and transparent technical advice to inform immunization decision-making is more critical than ever.
NITAGs are essential to ensuring that national vaccine policies are grounded in the best available evidence, informed by rigorous analysis, and responsive to public health needs. This includes careful consideration not only of which vaccines are recommended, but also of target populations, delivery strategies, and timing across the life course. Well-designed and clearly communicated recommendations are fundamental to maximizing individual and population protection, maintaining public trust, and ensuring efficient use of resources.
Through the GNN, WHO is committed to assuring that there is a robust way for global and national advisory bodies to exchange new information, continuously advance best practices, and support strong national vaccine policy making. The GNN is the critical link between SAGE and country policy processes, by serving as the dedicated means for these country and global level exchanges to take place, including during emergency events. This exchange strengthens the relevance, feasibility, and implementation of global guidance while ensuring that national realities inform global deliberations, and likewise that national policy processes draw upon global evidence reviews.
We from WHO will continue to support NITAGs through technical resources, policy tools, and platforms for peer learning and collaboration. These mechanisms are intended to support evidence-informed deliberation, strengthen communication with policy makers and stakeholders, and reinforce the resilience of immunization programs.
In 2026, with trust in vaccines increasingly recognized as the foundation of highly effective immunization programmes, our shared firm commitment to evidence-based immunization policy is more important than ever, as it form the basis of that trust. Protecting the health of individuals and communities everywhere, through lifesaving, safe, effective vaccines is more vital than ever.
Updates from the Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals Department
New WHO guidance on licensed human influenza A(H5) vaccines:
- WHO has published new guidance on the use of licensed human influenza A(H5) vaccines for interpandemic and emergence periods. The document outlines objectives for vaccination, key considerations to support country decision-making, potential target groups based on exposure risk, and includes a decision-aid matrix to help assess vaccination approaches under different epidemiological scenarios.
- Why it matters for NITAGs: This guidance supports preparedness planning and clearer policy discussion on if/when A(H5) vaccination may be considered as part of national risk management.
New work connected to the Full Value of Improved Influenza Vaccines Assessment (FVIVA)
- WHO continues to advance the Full Value of improved influenza vaccine assessment (FVIVA), which aims to inform global efforts to expand seasonal influenza programs and strengthen the evidence base for next-generation (improved) influenza vaccines, including for LMICs. We encourage NITAGs to use these outputs in strategic value discussions, target product considerations as improved influenza vaccines emerge.
- Why it matters for NITAGs: FVIVA-related findings can support more structured deliberations on influenza vaccination strategies, equity considerations, and investment cases for improved vaccines.
Updated WHO summary table on routine immunization recommendations
- WHO has updated Table 1: Summary of WHO Position Papers Recommendations for Routine Immunization (updated December 2025). This resource compiles WHO position paper recommendations across the life course and is designed as a practical reference for routine immunization policy discussions.
