scholarly journals National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups (NITAGs): A schema for evaluating and comparing foundation instruments and NITAG operations

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-98
Author(s):  
Shawn H.E. Harmon ◽  
David Faour ◽  
Noni MacDonald
Keyword(s):  
Good Governance ◽  
National Level ◽  
World Health ◽  
Advisory Group ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Immunization Policy ◽  
Advisory Groups ◽  
National Immunization ◽  
Principles And Standards ◽  
The Impact

The individual and community health benefits of vaccination have received significant attention and are now well understood. However, much less is known about immunization as a regulated space, its principles and standards and its institutions and instruments. In 2011, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended that National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups (NITAGs) be established in each member country. NITAGSs are envisioned as independent, multidisciplinary expert groups within the national immunization framework, tasked with providing evidence-based evaluations and recommendations to governmental decision-makers about specific vaccines, vaccine-dosing, vaccine program development and immunization policy and practice more generally. As of 2020, 171 WHO countries have formed NITAGs. The widespread formation of NITAGs has highlighted an absence of sustained scholarship around immunization as a policy area subject to law, and it has given rise to many governance and operational questions. In 2017, for example, representatives of the Global NITAG Network (GNN) agreed that there is insufficient understanding of the impact of law on the functioning of NITAGs. Similarly, the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization called for research into the variety of ways in which legislation and regulation have been used to promote immunization at a national level and to achieve different ends in relation to immunization and NITAG functioning. In answer to this call, the NITAG Environmental Scan (Project) was initiated. Drawing on scholarship around good governance, this article offers a comprehensive common assessment schema for critically and systematically approaching questions about NITAG governance and operation, applying that schema to the foundation instrument of the Côte d’Ivoire’s NITAG. It also reports on how well the schema is engaged by the NITAG foundation instruments in other GNN countries.

scholarly journals The National Immunization Technical Advisory Group in Israel

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chen Stein-Zamir ◽  
Shmuel Rishpon
Keyword(s):  
National Health ◽  
National Level ◽  
Vaccination Schedule ◽  
World Health ◽  
Advisory Group ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
Ministry Of Health ◽  
Independent Evidence ◽  
Main Challenge ◽  
National Immunization

AbstractNational Immunization Technical Advisory Groups (NITAGs) are defined by the World Health Organization as multidisciplinary groups of health experts who are involved in the development of a national immunization policy. The NITAG has the responsibility to provide independent, evidence-informed advice to the policy makers and national programme managers, on policy issues and questions related to immunization and vaccines.This paper aims to describe the NITAG in Israel. The Israeli NITAG was established by the Ministry of Health in1974. The NITAG’s full formal name is “the Advisory Committee on Infectious Diseases and Immunizations in Israel”. The NITAG is charged with prioritizing choices while granting maximal significance to the national public health considerations. Since 2007, the full minutes of the NITAG’s meetings have been publicly available on the committee’s website (at the Ministry of Health website, in Hebrew).According to the National Health Insurance Law, all residents of Israel are entitled to receive universal health coverage. The health services basket includes routine childhood immunizations, as well as several adult and post - exposure vaccinations. The main challenge currently facing the NITAG is establishing a process for introducing new vaccines and updating the vaccination schedule through the annual update of the national health basket. In the context of the annual update, vaccines have to “compete” with multiple medications and technologies which are presented to the basket committee for inclusion in the national health basket. Over the years, the Israeli NITAG’s recommendations have proved essential for vaccine introduction and scheduling and for communicable diseases control on a national level. The NITAG has established structured and transparent working processes and a decision framework according to WHO standards, which is evidence-based and country-specific to Israel.The recent global COVID-19 pandemic is a major concern for all countries as well as a challenge for NITAGs. Currently, the NITAGs have a key role in advising both on sustainment of the routine immunization programs and on planning of the COVID-19 vaccination campaigns, with ongoing updates and collaboration with the Ministry of Health and health organizations.

Defining Preterm Birth and Stillbirth in the Western Pacific: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
pp. 101053952110260
Author(s):  
Mairead Connolly ◽  
Laura Phung ◽  
Elise Farrington ◽  
Michelle J. L. Scoullar ◽  
Alyce N. Wilson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Preterm Birth ◽  
National Level ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Western Pacific ◽  
World Health ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
The Impact

Preterm birth and stillbirth are important global perinatal health indicators. Definitions of these indicators can differ between countries, affecting comparability of preterm birth and stillbirth rates across countries. This study aimed to document national-level adherence to World Health Organization (WHO) definitions of preterm birth and stillbirth in the WHO Western Pacific region. A systematic search of government health websites and 4 electronic databases was conducted. Any official report or published study describing the national definition of preterm birth or stillbirth published between 2000 and 2020 was eligible for inclusion. A total of 58 data sources from 21 countries were identified. There was considerable variation in how preterm birth and stillbirth was defined across the region. The most frequently used lower gestational age threshold for viability of preterm birth was 28 weeks gestation (range 20-28 weeks), and stillbirth was most frequently classified from 20 weeks gestation (range 12-28 weeks). High-income countries more frequently used earlier gestational ages for preterm birth and stillbirth compared with low- to middle-income countries. The findings highlight the importance of clear, standardized, internationally comparable definitions for perinatal indicators. Further research is needed to determine the impact on regional preterm birth and stillbirth rates.

scholarly journals Strengthening National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups in resource-limited settings: current and potential linkages with polio national certification committees

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon A. Greene ◽  
Blanche-Philomene Melanga Anya ◽  
Humayun Asghar ◽  
Irtaza A. Chaudhri ◽  
S. Deblina Datta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Response Rate ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Polio Eradication ◽  
Frequency Distributions ◽  
Immunization Policy ◽  
Advisory Groups ◽  
Resource Limited ◽  
National Immunization ◽  
National Certification ◽  
Question Survey

Abstract Background Countries are transitioning assets and functions from polio eradication to integrated immunization and surveillance activities. We assessed the extent of linkages between and perceptions of National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups (NITAGs) and National Certification Committees (NCCs) for polio eradication to understand how linkages can be leveraged to improve efficiencies of these expert bodies. Methods During May 2017 to May 2018, we administered a 15-question survey to a NITAG chair or member and an NCC counterpart in all countries of the WHO Regions for Africa (AFR) and for the Eastern Mediterranean (EMR) that had both a NITAG and an NCC. Data were analysed using frequency distributions. Results Of countries with both a NITAG and an NCC (n = 44), the response rate was 92% (22/24) in AFR and 75% (15/20) in EMR. Some respondents reported being very familiar with the functions of the other technical bodies, 36% (8/22) for NITAG members and 38% (14/37) for NCC members. Over 85% (51/59) of respondents felt it was somewhat useful or very useful to strengthen ties between bodies. Nearly all respondents (98%, 58/59) felt that NCC expertise could inform measles and rubella elimination programmes. Conclusions We observed a broad consensus that human resource assets of NCCs may serve an important technical role to support national immunization policy-making. At this stage of the polio eradication initiative, countries should consider how to integrate the technical expertise of NCC members to reinforce NITAGs and maintain the polio essential functions, beginning in countries that have been polio-free for several years.

scholarly journals Priorities for improving chemicals management in the WHO European Region—stakeholders’ views

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 812-817
Author(s):  
Joanne A Vincenten ◽  
Irina Zastenskaya ◽  
Peter Schröder-Bäck ◽  
Dorota Iwona Jarosinska
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
National Level ◽  
World Health ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Political Commitment ◽  
Chemical Safety ◽  
Chemicals Management ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Prevention of the impact of chemicals on human health and the environment is an increasing focus of public health polices and policy makers. The World Health Organization European Centre for Environment and Health wanted to know what were stakeholders’ priorities for improving chemicals management and prevention. Methods Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 18 diverse stakeholders to answer this question. The interview questionnaire was developed using current WHO chemical meeting reports, the Evidence Implementation Model for Public Health Systems and categories of the theory of diffusion. Stakeholder views were attained on three main questions within the questionnaire. (i) What priority actions should be undertaken to minimize the negative impact of chemicals? (ii) Who needs to be more involved and what roles should they have? (iii) How can science and knowledge on chemicals and health be translated into policies more effectively and what are the greatest barriers to overcome? Results Cross cutting issues, such as legislation strengthening and enforcement, further collection of information, capacity building, education and awareness raising were considered priorities. The responders had the same vision on roles and responsibilities of different stakeholders. The greatest barrier to adoption, implementation and enforcement of evidence-based policies reported was leadership and political commitment to chemical safety. Conclusions Priorities raised differed depending on knowledge, professional background and type of stakeholder. Factors influencing priority identification at the national level include international and global context, availability of information, knowledge of the current situation and evidence-based good practice, and risks and priorities identified through national assessments.

scholarly journals Sustainable Public Safety and the Case of Two Epidemics: COVID-19 and Traffic Crashes. Can We Extrapolate from One to the Other?

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 3136
Author(s):  
Tsippy Lotan ◽  
David Shinar
Keyword(s):  
Road Safety ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Systems Approach ◽  
Motor Vehicle ◽  
National Level ◽  
Public Information ◽  
World Health ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
The Impact

COVID-19 and motor vehicle crashes (MVC) are both considered epidemics by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), yet their progression, treatment and success in treatment have been very different. In this paper, we propose that the well-established sustainable safety approach to road safety can be applied to the management of COVID-19. We compare COVID-19 and MVC in terms of several defining characteristics, including evolvement and history, definitions and measures of evaluation, main attributes and characteristics, countermeasures, management and coping strategies, and key success factors. Despite stark differences, there are also some similarities between the two epidemics, and these enable insights into how the principles of sustainable road safety can be utilized to cope with and guide the treatment of COVID-19. Major guidelines that can be adopted include an aggressive policy set at the highest national level. The policy should be data- and science-based and would be most effective when relying on a systems approach (such as Sweden’s Vision Zero, the Netherlands’ Sustainable Safety, and the recommended EU Safe System). The policy should be enforceable and supplemented with positive public information and education campaigns (rather than scare tactics). Progression of mortality and morbidity should be tracked continuously to enable adjustments. Ethical issues (such as invasion of privacy) should be addressed to maximize public acceptance. Interestingly, the well-established domain of MVC can also benefit from the knowledge, experience, and strategies used in addressing COVID-19 by raising the urgency of detection and recognition of new risk factors (e.g., cell phone distractions), developing and implementing appropriate policy and countermeasures, and emphasizing the saliency of the impact of MVC on our daily lives.

scholarly journals Indoor residual spraying for malaria control in Sub-Saharan Africa 1997 to 2017; an adjusted retrospective analysis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie-Anne Tangena ◽  
Chantal M.J. Hendriks ◽  
Maria Devine ◽  
Meghan Tammaro ◽  
Anna E. Trett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Malaria Control ◽  
Malaria Incidence ◽  
Resistance Management ◽  
Indoor Residual Spraying ◽  
Control Program ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
World Health ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background: Indoor residual spraying (IRS) is a key tool for controlling and eliminating malaria by targeting vectors. To support the development of effective intervention strategies it is important to understand the impact of vector control tools on malaria incidence and on the spread of insecticide resistance. In 2006, the World Health Organization (WHO) stated that countries should report on coverage and impact of IRS, yet IRS coverage data are still sparse and unspecific. Here we estimated the subnational coverage of IRS across sub-Saharan Africa for the four main insecticide classes from 1997 to 2017. Methods: Data on IRS deployment were collated from a variety of sources, including the President’s Malaria Initiative spray reports and National Malaria Control program reports, for all 46 malaria-endemic countries in Sub-Saharan Africa from 1997 to 2017. The data were mapped to the applicable administrative divisions and the proportion of households sprayed for each of the four main insecticide classes; carbamates, organochlorines, organophosphates and pyrethroids was calculated. Results: We found that the number of countries implementing IRS increased considerably over time, although the focal nature of deployment means the number of people protected remains low. From 1997 to 2010, DDT and pyrethroids were commonly used, then partly replaced by carbamates from 2011 and by organophosphates from 2013. IRS deployment since the publication of resistance management guidelines has typically avoided overlap between pyrethroid IRS and ITN use. However, annual rotations of insecticide classes with differing modes of action are not routinely used. Conclusion: This study highlights the gaps between policy and practice, emphasizing the continuing potential of IRS to drive resistance. The data presented here can improve studies on the impact of IRS on malaria incidence and help to guide future malaria control efforts.

scholarly journals Extending Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention To Five Cycles: A Pilot Study of Feasibility and Acceptability in Mangodara District, Burkina Faso

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adama TRAORE ◽  
Laura DONOVAN ◽  
Benoit SAWADOGO ◽  
Charlotte WARD ◽  
Helen SMITH ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Burkina Faso ◽  
Malaria Transmission ◽  
Rainy Season ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
National Level ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
World Health ◽  
Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention ◽  
Transmission Period ◽  
The Impact

Abstract BackgroundSeasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) involves administering antimalarial drugs at monthly intervals during the high malaria transmission period to children aged 3 to 59 months as recommended by the World Health Organization. Typically, a full SMC course is administered over four monthly cycles from July to October, coinciding with the rainy season. However, an analysis of rainfall patterns suggest that the malaria transmission season is now longer and starting as early as June in the south of Burkina Faso, leading to a rise in cases prior to the first cycle. This study assessed the acceptability and feasibility of extending SMC from four to five cycles to coincide with the earlier rainy season in Mangodara health district.MethodsThe mixed-methods study was conducted between July and November 2019. Quantitative data were collected through end-of-cycle and end-of-round household surveys to determine the effect of the additional cycle on the coverage of SMC in Mangodara. The data were then compared with 22 other districts where SMC was implemented by Malaria Consortium. Eight focus group discussions were conducted with caregivers and community distributors and 11 key informant interviews with community, programme and national-level stakeholders. These aimed to determine perceptions of the acceptability and feasibility of extending SMC to five cycles.Results The extension was perceived as acceptable by caregivers, community distributors and stakeholders due to the positive impact on the health of children under five. However, many community distributors expressed concern over the feasibility, mainly due to the clash with farming activities in June. Stakeholders highlighted the need for more evidence on the impact of the additional cycle on parasite resistance prior to scale-up. End-of-cycle survey data showed no difference in coverage between five SMC cycles in Mangodara and four cycles in the 22 comparison districts.Conclusions The additional cycle should begin early in the day in order to not coincide with the agricultural activities of community distributors. Continuous sensitisation at community level is critical for the sustainability of SMC and acceptance of an additional cycle. Further studies are required to understand the effectiveness, including cost-effectiveness, of tailoring SMC according to the rainy season.

scholarly journals Toward the Impact of Non-pharmaceutical Interventions and Vaccination on the COVID-19 Pandemic With Time-Dependent SEIR Model

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuexin Li ◽  
Linqiang Ge ◽  
Yang Zhou ◽  
Xuan Cao ◽  
Jingyi Zheng
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Models ◽  
Transmission Rate ◽  
National Level ◽  
Time Dependent ◽  
World Health ◽  
Seir Model ◽  
Level Data ◽  
The World ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The U.S

The outbreak of COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) in March, 2020 and rapidly spread to over 210 countries and territories around the world. By December 24, there are over 77M cumulative confirmed cases with more than 1.72M deaths worldwide. To mathematically describe the dynamic of the COVID-19 pandemic, we propose a time-dependent SEIR model considering the incubation period. Furthermore, we take immunity, reinfection, and vaccination into account and propose the SEVIS model. Unlike the classic SIR based models with constant parameters, our dynamic models not only predicts the number of cases, but also monitors the trajectories of changing parameters, such as transmission rate, recovery rate, and the basic reproduction number. Tracking these parameters, we observe the significant decrease in the transmission rate in the U.S. after the authority announced a series of orders aiming to prevent the spread of the virus, such as closing non-essential businesses and lockdown restrictions. Months later, as restrictions being gradually lifted, we notice a new surge of infection emerges as the transmission rates show increasing trends in some states. Using our epidemiology models, people can track, timely monitor, and predict the COVID-19 pandemic with precision. To illustrate and validate our model, we use the national level data (the U.S.) and the state level data (New York and North Dakota), and the resulting relative prediction errors for the infected group and recovered group are mostly lower than 0.5%. We also simulate the long-term development of the pandemic based on our proposed models to explore when the crisis will end under certain conditions.

scholarly journals ORAL HEALTH;

2011 ◽  
Vol 21 (02) ◽  
pp. 343-346
Author(s):  
Sarah Ali ◽  
Samra Ijaz
Keyword(s):  
Oral Health ◽  
Dental Treatment ◽  
National Level ◽  
Motor Dysfunction ◽  
World Health ◽  
Oral Diseases ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Preventive Practices ◽  
Hygiene Measures ◽  
The Impact

Introduction: It has been now established beyond doubt that dental diseases arethe most common cause of human suffering. It is due to the impact of these diseases and humansuffering that World Health Organization has included Oral Health as one of the indicators forhealth of individual. The National Oral Health survey clearly indicates that oral diseases burdenthe people of Pakistan and there is lack of perception of needs or absence of tooth ache thatcauses a delay in seeking dental treatment. The survey also shows that preventive services arerare and there is lack of oral health education , preventive practices and lack of dental healthpromotional programs in Pakistan. There is no study at national level to reflect the extent ofawareness regarding oral health in population. The present study was conducted with theobjective of evaluating the extent of knowledge regarding oral health among patients visitingIslamic International Dental Hospital (IIDH). Materials and Methods: 200 patients visiting IIDHwere randomly selected in this cross sectional study that was conducted from May to July 2013.Out of these 80 were male and 120 were female. The age range of patients was from 15 to 60years. None of the patient had any psychological or motor dysfunction which could inhibit theperception and performance of oral hygiene measures. All the patients were educated andensured of anonymity. A multiple choice questionnaire was designed and distributed amongparticipants. The questionnaire included 13 questions with different responses andpredetermined answers. The data thus collected was compiled, analyzed using SPSS version 17and interpreted. In order to summarize the awareness level, responses were scored from 0-13based on the number of correct responses. The extent of awareness was graded on a three scaleparameter which was poor, fair and good. Results were expressed in terms of percentage.Results: The results showed that only 4% of the patients scored good while 43%% and 53%scored fair and poor awareness respectively. Conclusions: The study concluded that the level ofawareness regarding oral health is limited among patients visiting IIDH.

scholarly journals National Routine Adult Immunization Programs among World Health Organization Member States: An Assessment of Health Systems to Deploy Future SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah R. Williams ◽  
Amanda J. Driscoll ◽  
Hanna M. LeBuhn ◽  
Wilbur H. Chen ◽  
Kathleen M. Neuzil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vaccine Coverage ◽  
World Health ◽  
Immunization Programs ◽  
Vaccine Response ◽  
Member States ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Advisory Groups ◽  
National Immunization ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Adult Immunization

ABSTRACTIntroductionAs the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic disproportionately affects older adults, future pandemic vaccine response will rely on existing adult immunization infrastructures.MethodsWe evaluated the 2018 WHO/UNICEF Joint Reporting Form on Immunization for country reports on adult immunization programs. We described countries with programs and used multivariable regression to identify independent factors associated with having them.ResultsOf 194 WHO Member States, 120 (62%) reported having any adult vaccination program. The Americas and Europe had the most adult immunization programs, most commonly Hepatitis B and influenza vaccines (>45% and >90% of countries). Africa and South-East Asia had the fewest adult immunization programs, with <11% of countries reporting any adult immunization programs for influenza or hepatitis vaccines, and none for pneumococcal vaccines. In bivariate analyses, high- or upper-middle income, introduction of new or underused vaccines, having achieved pediatric vaccine coverage goals, and meeting National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups basic functional indicators were significantly associated (p<0.001) with having any adult immunization programs. In multivariable analyses, the factor most strongly associated with adult immunization programs was country income, with high- or upper-middle income countries significantly more likely to report having a program (aOR 19.3, 95% CI 6.5, 57.7).DiscussionThat 38% of countries lack functional platforms for adult immunization has major implications for future SARS-CoV-2 vaccine deployment. Systems for vaccine storage and handling, delivery, and waste management for adult immunization do not exist in much of the world. Developing countries should strengthen immunization programs to reach adults with SARS-CoV-2 vaccines when they become available.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document