WHO South East Asia Regional Immunization Technical Advisory Group (SEAR-ITAG) Report of the Seventh Meeting SEAR-ITAG New Delhi, India, 7–10 June 2016
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WHO South-East Asia Regional Immunization Technical Advisory Group (SEAR-ITAG) Report of the Seventh Meeting of SEAR-ITAG New Delhi, India, 7–10 June 2016
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Contents Page
Acronyms .............................................................................................................. v 1. 2. 3. Introduction .................................................................................................. 1 Objectives ..................................................................................................... 3 Conclusions and recommendations ............................................................... 4 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 4. National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups (NITAGs).............. 4 South-East Asia Regional Vaccine Action Plan (SEAR-VAP) .................. 5 Equity................................................................................................. 5 Immunization legislation..................................................................... 6 Immunization financing ...................................................................... 7 Polio eradication ................................................................................ 7 Hepatitis B ....................................................................................... 10 Maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination (MNTE) .......................... 12 Measles elimination and rubella/CRS control .................................... 14 Data quality ..................................................................................... 18 Vaccine quality and management ..................................................... 20 Adverse events following immunization (AEFI) .................................. 22 New and underutilized vaccines introduction (NUVI) ....................... 23
The way forward ......................................................................................... 24 Annexes
1. 2.
Agenda ........................................................................................................ 26 List of participants ....................................................................................... 28 iii
Acronyms AEFI AFP AI ATAP CTC CYD-TDV FDA GAP GHSS GPEI GRISP GVAP HBR IEC IPV ITAG JRF LB MNCH MNTE MOV adverse events following immunization acute flaccid paralysis appreciative inquiry access to affordable pricing controlled temperature chain chimeric dengue vaccine, tetravalent Food and Drug Administration Global Action Plan Global Health Sector Strategy Global Polio Eradication Initiative global routine immunization strategies and practices Global Vaccine Action Plan home-based records information, education and communication inactivated polio virus Immunization Technical Advisory Group joint reporting form live births maternal, newborn and child health maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination missed opportunities for vaccination
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MCV1 MCV2 NITAG NRA NT NUVI PCV PQ RCCPE RI RVAP RVC SAGE SDG SEAR SFI SIA SOP VAP VDPV VPD WPV
first dose measles containing vaccine second dose measles containing vaccine National Immunization Technical Advisory Group National Regulatory Authority neonatal tetanus new and underutilized vaccines pneumococcal conjugate vaccine pre-qualified Regional Commission Eradication routine immunization Regional Vaccine Action Plan South-East Asia Regional Verification Commission for Measles Elimination and Rubella/CRS Control Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization Sustainable Development Goals South-East Asia Region sustainable immunization financing supplementary immunization activity standard operating procedures Vaccine Action Plan vaccine derived polio virus vaccine-preventable disease wild polio virus for the Certification of Poliomyelitis
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1.
Introduction The Seventh Meeting of the World Health Organization's South-East Asia Regional Immunization Technical Advisory Group (SEAR-ITAG) was held from 7 to 10 June 2016 in New Delhi, India. The SEAR-ITAG is a regional technical expert group, established by the Regional Director of the WHO South-East Asia Region, for providing advice on all aspects of prevention, control, elimination and eradication of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs). It comprises experts from disciplines such as programme management, communicable disease/vaccinepreventable disease control, virology, epidemiology and immunization. It meets annually with the participation of national expanded programme on immunization (EPI) managers, and national surveillance focal points and partners, to review progress on increasing and sustaining immunization coverage, surveillance performance, programme issues, and matters related to vaccine quality and safety. It provides guidance to Member States on ways to improve and sustain overall high-quality performance in implementing immunization programmes. The terms of reference of ITAG are as follows: Review Regional and Member State policies, strategies and plans for the control, elimination and/or eradication of vaccinepreventable diseases, especially for polio eradication, measles elimination, rubella/congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) control, and maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination (MNTE). Provide guidance on setting regional priorities for immunization and vaccines. Make recommendations on the framework for development of national immunization policies as well as operational aspects of their implementation; and provide a framework and approaches to periodic evaluation and strengthening of routine immunization services and systems. 1
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Advise Member States on appropriate choices of new vaccines and recommend optimal strategies for their introduction, including technical guidance for monitoring and impact evaluation of new vaccines once they are introduced into national immunization programmes. Promote and provide technical guidance for the implementation of high-quality vaccine-preventable disease surveillance, including laboratory networks for surveillance. Advise Member States on regulatory requirements to ensure quality and safety of vaccines used in national immunization programmes. Provide guidance on public private partnerships. Identify and advise on appropriate implementation research topics in immunization and vaccines, and review the conduct and results of such research projects.
The Meeting was chaired by Professor Gagandeep Kang. Other ITAG members present were Dr Robert Linkins, Professor Sanath Lamabadusuriya, Dr Charung Muangchana, Dr Yasho Vardhan Pradhan, Professor Mohammed Shahidullah and Professor Saw Win. Other participants included: representatives from National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups (NITAGs) of Member States; members of the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) representing the Region; national EPI managers and surveillance focal points from 11 countries; immunization focal points from the South-East Asia Regional Office (SEARO) and WHO country offices; representatives from WHO headquarters; representatives from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF); and local and global partners and stakeholders.
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2.
Objectives Immunization activities involve multiple stakeholders at global, regional and country levels. There is an increasing and constant need for ensuring coordination, communication and coherence between all agencies involved in the funding, implementing, regulating and developing of immunization programmes and policies. Additionally, there are time-bound immunization and disease eradication/elimination/control targets, which attract intense scrutiny of stakeholders. Thus it is essential to have regular oversight and monitoring by a regional advisory body, and to have periodic course correction. In this Region, the annual SEAR-ITAG Meeting is the mechanism that supports this role. The primary objectives of this meeting were as follows: (1) To review the performance status of national expanded programmes on immunization (EPI) in relation to disease eradication/elimination/control targets; and review the implementation of recommendations of the Sixth SEAR-ITAG Meeting of 2015. To seek the guidance of SEAR-ITAG in effectively addressing the following priority areas: – – – implementation of the Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP); mid-term review of the regional flagship programme of measles elimination and rubella/CRS control by 2020; implementation of the Polio Eradication and Endgame Strategic Plan 2013–2018 (outbreak response preparedness, validation of the switch from trivalent oral polio vaccine (tOPV) to bivalent oral polio vaccine (bOPV), inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) introduction, containment of polioviruses as per Global Action Plan III and legacy planning in SEA Region); validation of MNTE during 2016; vaccine quality and management; introduction of new and underutilized vaccines and health system strengthening for immunization outcomes. 3
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3. 3.1
Conclusions and recommendations National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups (NITAGs) While emphasizing that NITAGs are independent committees whose mandate is to advise their governments towards making evidence-based immunization policy decisions, ITAG commends Member States of the SEA Region for integrating NITAGs into the immunization-related policy-making systems in their respective countries. ITAG also congratulates Member States on establishing NITAGs in all 11 Member States. ITAG is of the opinion that the establishment of the SEAR-NITAG voluntary network in April 2016 is a significant step towards enhancing the capacity of NITAGs in the Region. ITAG in particular notes the remarkable contribution of NITAGs in reviewing implementation of the GVAP in their respective countries through the national immunization programmes. ITAG recommended that: (1) The capacity of NITAGs to provide guidance on evidence-based approaches to strengthen immunization systems and services should be further enhanced by sharing country experiences, best practices and resources, as well as by peer-to-peer technical assistance through the ‘SEAR-NITAG Network’. The technical agencies and development partners should ensure sufficient support for a functional secretariat for the Network. NITAGs now provide an annual report on their functioning to SEARO through their respective governments and WHO country offices. The annual reports, made in accordance with the standardized reporting format, should be reviewed at the annual SEAR-ITAG meetings. Further, individual NITAGs may consider using the WHO Collaborating Centre tool for periodic evaluation of functionality. NITAGs should consider inviting representatives from their respective countries, who serve on the strategic advisory group of experts on immunization (SAGE), SEAR-ITAG or other regional TAGs [e.g. Regional Commission for the Certification of Poliomyelitis Eradication (RCCPE) and South-East Asia Regional
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Verification Commission for Measles Elimination and Rubella/CRS Control (RVC)] to participate in their meetings. (4) The role of NITAGs should not be limited to the consideration of recommendations for the introduction of new vaccines, but should extend to devising strategies for optimizing the use of existing vaccines and strengthening national immunization programmes.
3.2
South-East Asia Regional Vaccine Action Plan (SEAR-VAP) ITAG congratulated WHO-SEARO on drafting the South-East Asia regional vaccine action plan (SEAR-VAP) (2016–2020) in alignment with the goals of the GVAP (2011–2020) to reflect the joint commitment of Member States and other stakeholders towards achieving long-term collective goals in immunization in the SEA Region. ITAG recognizes the importance of defining goals, targets and priority areas for action in the SEAR-VAP, in the context of specific needs and challenges of Member States. ITAG opines that NITAGs should annually monitor and evaluate the achievement of set targets in accordance with the indicators defined by the SEAR-VAP framework. ITAG recommended that all Member States: (1) (2) develop annual plans for immunization consistent with the GVAP/SEAR-VAP, and establish a process to annually monitor the progress of SEAR-VAP implementation by an independent body such as their NITAG, and submit an annual progress report to the SEAR-ITAG through SEARO.
3.3
Equity ITAG reiterated that equity in immunization is vital to ensuring benefits to all. ITAG believes that it is important to have country and region-specific policies/strategies in place to achieve equity in immunization. It notes the importance of improving access to marginalized populations where disease burdens tend to be disproportionately concentrated. ITAG invites Member States to focus on reaching these communities to achieve a higher degree of
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equity in immunization in the Region. As a means of operationalizing the outreach to these communities, ITAG recognizes the value of disaggregating data by geography, wealth and gender, generating such data where not available, and streamlining specific strategies for prioritization of high-risk populations for interventions. ITAG recommended that all Member States: (1) Endorse lessons learnt from country experiences and promote equity in its different forms, including gender, sociocultural situation and geography. Must address the problem of under-immunized/unreached children and missed opportunities for vaccination (MOV) in order to achieve the GVAP goals. Should prioritize targeted interventions to administrative areas with high numbers of under-immunized/un-immunized children for increasing and sustaining population immunity most efficiently.
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3.4 Immunization legislation ITAG is of the opinion that immunization milestone for Member States in protecting immunization, and that it reflects a country’s programmatic and financial sustenance of Programme. legislation is an important children’s rights to quality political commitment to the its National Immunization
ITAG recommended that all Member States: (1) recognize that the benefits of legislation, such as the Immunization Act of Nepal 2016, are core to achieving public health goals, and consider how such legislation may be advantageous to strengthening their immunization programmes.
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3.5
Immunization financing ITAG is encouraged to note that Member States continuously strive to introduce new and underutilized vaccines and new technologies, while at the same time working towards achieving high and equitable immunization coverage by intensifying routine immunization and strengthening health systems. ITAG acknowledges that these efforts often increase the costs of national immunization programmes beyond the currently available allocations for immunization in their national budgets. It also notes the challenges posed by the differing wealth status of Member States (as reflected in the World Bank income categorization), and also by the different phases of transition from Gavi support. Therefore, ITAG considers that addressing emerging needs for sustainable and predictable funding for national immunization programmes is a priority for the SEA Region. ITAG recommended that all Member States: (1) Develop a comprehensive and sustainable immunization financing plan as part of their national immunization or any equivalent plan. These plans should be updated periodically to ensure predictable financing for: – – – routine immunization to increase and sustain equitable immunization coverage; introducing new and under-utilized vaccines (NUV) based on available evidence; use of innovative technologies and strategies to promote immunization; and strengthening health systems for immunization outcomes.
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3.6
Polio eradication ITAG congratulated Member States on maintaining the polio-free status of the Region for more than five years since the last case due to wild poliovirus (WPV) was detected in January 2011. However, it notes with concern the detection of vaccine-derived polioviruses (VDPV) from stool specimens of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) cases, as well as from sewage samples in India during the last 18 months; along with an outbreak of
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circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) in Myanmar in 2015. ITAG congratulated Myanmar on strong measures taken by the Ministry of Health in response to the outbreak, but remains concerned at gaps in AFP surveillance, especially in the outbreak area. It notes that the outbreak response assessment team could not conclude with certainty whether transmission of the cVDPV2 had been interrupted. It recommends urgent measures to improve the quality of AFP surveillance and to initiate environmental surveillance. ITAG recognizes the support and guidance of donors and partners in implementing the polio eradication and endgame strategy in the Region. It acknowledges the active oversight of the National Certification Committees for Polio Eradication (NCCPE) and the Regional Certification Commission in maintaining surveillance standards, immunization and outbreak response preparedness. ITAG notes the continued risk of wild polio virus (WPV) spread following an importation, as well as the ongoing risk of circulating VDPV due to oral polio vaccine use. ITAG is concerned about the persistently low third dose of OPV (OPV3) coverage through routine immunization (RI) in India, Indonesia, Myanmar and Timor-Leste, and notes that supplementary immunization activity with tOPV had been conducted in each of these Member States prior to the switch from trivalent OPV (tOPV) to bivalent OPV (bOPV), to mitigate the risks of VDPV2 emergence. ITAG is also concerned about suboptimal AFP surveillance indicators in Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Indonesia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Timor-Leste. ITAG noted the progress in expanding environmental surveillance in the Region, with the addition of sites in India and initiation of sites in Bangladesh and Indonesia. ITAG appreciated the performance of the laboratory network in support of AFP and environmental surveillance, but expressed concern about performance issues in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea laboratory. ITAG noted the Region’s progress towards achieving the objectives of the ‘Polio Eradication and Endgame Strategic Plan 2013–2018’, including plans for IPV introduction. ITAG congratulated the ministries of health in all 11 member countries for undertaking and validating the switch from tOPV 8
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to bOPV in April–May 2016 with support from WHO, UNICEF and other stakeholders. ITAG noted the challenges related to availability of sufficient IPV in the Region and measures taken to mitigate risks associated with short supply of IPV, such as the prioritization of IPV supplies to tier 1 and 2 countries. ITAG congratulates India for introducing off-label fractional dose IPV in eight states to stretch available IPV supplies. ITAG notes the progress in containment of all type 2 polioviruses as per the Global Action Plan III (GAP III) in the Region despite the complexities involved in this area of work. ITAG noted the efforts being made to ensure outbreak response preparedness in the Region, with special emphasis on preparedness for any type 2 poliovirus circulation in the post-switch period. It commended the authorization for use of mOPV2 and fractional dose IPV if an outbreak is detected. ITAG appreciated initiation efforts in the Region to develop transition plans for polio assets in five priority countries – Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Myanmar and Nepal – to ensure that these assets contribute to broader public health gains while sustaining polio-free status. ITAG recommended that: (1) (2) All Member States should continue their achieve/sustain certification-level AFP surveillance. efforts to
An urgent review of AFP surveillance indicators and processes at the national and subnational levels should be undertaken in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Indonesia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Timor-Leste. Corrective actions should be identified and immediately implemented. Environmental surveillance should be initiated in Myanmar and in Nepal in 2016–2017. Thailand should also consider initiating environmental surveillance. Countries already conducting environmental surveillance should consider adding sites. India, Indonesia, Myanmar and Timor-Leste should continue to strengthen their routine immunization programmes through the development and implementation of programme improvement plans to maximize effectiveness of IPV administered as a part of routine immunization.
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Indonesia should ensure that IPV is introduced no later than July 2016. Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) partners should regularly share information on IPV supply with all Member States, including those that self-procure the vaccine. In view of the insufficient global IPV supply and the operational challenges associated with administering fractional dose of IPV, NITAGs should provide guidance to national programmes on IPV introduction strategies. All Member States should ensure that their outbreak response plans are in line with GPEI protocols for response to detection of type 2 poliovirus in the post-switch period, including authorizing the emergency use of mOPV2 and IPV. All Member States should ensure that containment activities are implemented as per Global Action Plan III (GAP III) within the stipulated timelines and in partnership with relevant stakeholders.
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(10) Ministries of health in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Myanmar and Nepal should develop and finalize their transition plans for polio assets by end-2016. (11) Certification activities should continue as per recommendations of the Regional Commission for Certification of Poliomyelitis Eradication (SEA-RCCPE).
3.7
Hepatitis B ITAG noted the long history of immunization against hepatitis B in the SEA Region, and the achievements of Member States. However, it concludes that vaccination and control activities need to be accelerated in view of the estimated 100 million persons with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV infection), resulting in an estimated 300 000 deaths a year from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), cirrhosis and other complications. HBV is highly transmissible, and newborn infants and children are at high risk. SAGE recommends two distinct but related public health interventions:
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administering a birth dose to prevent perinatal infection of hepatitis B, followed by 2–3 subsequent doses giving complete protection to infants and young children.
ITAG noted the challenges of several Member States in providing timely birth-dose vaccination given the low rate of health facility based deliveries or skilled birth attendance at home deliveries. However, the Region now has experience in overcoming this by successfully adopting innovative strategies, namely integration of birth dose with essential newborn care. While the birth dose is ideally administered within 24 hours, there are still protection benefits if given up to 7 days after birth. ITAG considers the current global environment as very opportune for establishing a regional target for hepatitis B control through immunization, in keeping with the Global Health Sector Strategy (GHSS) Viral Hepatitis 2016–2021 endorsed by Sixty-ninth World Health Assembly 2016, the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the GVAP. The GHSS aims at a 30% reduction of new cases of chronic viral hepatitis B by 2020, which is considered equivalent to 1% prevalence of hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) among children. The present environment also provides new opportunities for partner support at a stage where several Member States will be graduating from Gavi support. Experiences from other WHO regions have demonstrated how setting a control goal contributes towards heightened national commitment to hepatitis B control, and also indirectly focuses attention on strengthening routine immunization services. Furthermore, with many Member States currently developing polio legacy documents, it is an opportune time to transition polio assets and legacy to the control of hepatitis B in the Region. ITAG recommended that Member States: (1) Conduct a systematic review of hepatitis B vaccination coverage to identify gaps and causes of under-immunization – especially with regard to birth dose – and develop/implement strategies to bring coverage to target levels.
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Ensure that activities required for achieving hepatitis B immunization coverage goals are adequately reflected in national comprehensive multiyear plans (cMYPs) or other expanded programme on immunization (EPI) plans. As the overall control of viral hepatitis incorporates a range of strategies under the responsibility of different governmental units, it is critical that hepatitis B immunization strategies are clearly reflected in national action plans with clear delineation of responsibilities. NITAGs should advocate and oversee coordination between departments to achieve immunization goals. Closely coordinate with WHO and other technical partners to identify and address specific programmatic, implementation and monitoring challenges.
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ITAG recommended that WHO SEARO: (1) Establish a regional goal for control of hepatitis B as part of the Regional Vaccine Action Plan (RVAP). The control goal should be in alignment with the Global Health Sector Strategy on Viral Hepatitis and should have a target of ≤ 1% HBsAg seroprevalence among children aged 5 years by the year 2020. Develop an action plan for accelerating hepatitis B immunization towards the regional control goal. Given the diversity of epidemiological situations, the plan must be guided by a comprehensive consultation process with Member States, relevant experts and partners, and based on country needs and resource requirements. Align hepatitis B control action plan with the RVAP, and also give consideration to the role of viral hepatitis A and E vaccination in a comprehensive hepatitis prevention strategy of national immunization programmes.
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3.8
Maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination (MNTE) ITAG congratulates Indonesia on having achieved maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination (MNTE) status as per WHO criteria in 2016, and the SEA Region on becoming the second of the six WHO regions after the
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European Region to achieve MNTE. ITAG considers Regional MNTE as another public health victory, proving that even access-constrained, remote and vulnerable high-risk populations can be reached. However, sustaining MNTE requires vigilance. Member States that relied solely on routine service delivery or have reliable neonatal tetanus (NT) surveillance may face fewer challenges in sustaining MNTE as compared with Member States that employed SIAs in selected districts or in the country as a whole. Nevertheless, for all Member States, the postelimination scenario requires addressing gaps related to access, coverage and quality of health care, and routinely reviewing district performance data. Negligence in this regard might well result in some districts, or the country as a whole, reverting to previous high MNT risk status. As such, ITAG welcomes the WHO and UNICEF operational guidelines on ‘Sustaining Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus Elimination (MNTE) once achieved by a country’ to serve as a basis for joint action between immunization programmes, maternal and newborn child health (MNCH) and surveillance managers, to address gaps that could impact a Member State’s ability to maintain MNTE. ITAG recommended that Member States: (1) that have achieved MNTE status since the year 2000 should periodically review the performance of each district as a joint exercise by the EPI, MNCH Programme, surveillance managers and partner representatives. The review should follow WHO and UNICEF operational guidelines on ‘sustaining maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination (MNTE) once achieved by a country’. Member States should use the assessments to implement corrective measures, taking into account the country policy/strategy, local context and feasibility. that have achieved MNTE status before the year 2000 should improve and sustain sensitive neonatal tetanus (NT) surveillance in every district to maintain elimination status, as districts should remain at a reported/estimated annual NT rate below 1/1000 live births (LB). that have not yet optimized immunization schedules for tetanus toxoid vaccination should aim at optimizing them to ensure full 13
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and early protection against tetanus with booster doses for both genders during childhood and adolescence. ITAG recommended that SEARO: (1) develop an activity plan for monitoring/maintaining MNTE status in priority countries. This should include but not be limited to: – – (2) a standard set of data to be reported, analysed and reported back to Member States for action, and establishing a standardized format for MNTE post-validation assessment.
support select countries in their district-level annual performance review.
3.9
Measles elimination and rubella/CRS control ITAG is encouraged by Member States’ commitment to the regional goal of measles elimination and rubella/CRS control by 2020. Nevertheless, ITAG believes that current efforts to close immunity gaps and strengthen casebased surveillance and reporting need to be intensified. To this end, ITAG will monitor a number of milestones to track progress of Member States towards reaching the measles elimination and rubella/CRS control goal by 2020. ITAG commends Member States on progress made in providing MCV1 and MCV2 with high coverage through their respective routine immunization programmes. ITAG commends Member States on the formation of National Verification Committees, and SEARO on the formation of the Regional Verification Commission for Measles and Rubella. ITAG expressed concern over a resurgence of measles in Bhutan and an outbreak in Sri Lanka. ITAG encourages exploring the option of utilizing the Region’s polio infrastructure towards the control/elimination of measles and rubella/CRS as part of the polio legacy plan. ITAG acknowledges that high vaccination coverage may necessarily not indicate the case load or interruption of transmission in a population, and thus emphasized the need to look into surveillance performance as key indicators towards verification progress.
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The centrality of surveillance was underlined, based on th e Region’s experience with polio elimination, and thus it was emphasized that the Region should put in all resources to meet global standards of surveillance. ITAG encourages Member States to report progress on measles elimination and rubella/CRS control to the Regional Verification Commission following review by their respective National Verification Committees. ITAG acknowledged that the SEA Region has the world’s largest birth cohort, and that measles elimination and rubella/CRS control activities will have far-reaching implications beyond the Region and towards global progress. ITAG recommended that: (1) All national verification committees (NVCs) should review and report progress on measles elimination and rubella/CRS control in their country to the Regional Verification Commission. The Regional Verification Commission Secretariat in WHO SEARO should present a report on progress made towards meeting the goal of measles elimination and rubella/CRS control at the next SEAR-ITAG meeting in 2017. For Member States that have introduced measles and rubella containing vaccine (MRCV), NITAGs should recommend that governments commit to rubella elimination by 2020 in keeping with the regional measles elimination goal. In Member States yet to introduce MRCV, namely India and Indonesia, efforts should continue to reach the regional rubella control goal. A 2020 target for regional rubella elimination should be set once all Member States have introduced MRCV.
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ITAG recommendations related to closing the immunity gap: (1) All Member States should determine immunity profiles by birth cohort for various age groups (through desk reviews, sero-surveys or other mechanisms) and develop/implement plans to fill any gaps, including use of available opportunities for immunization,
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optimization of immunization schedule or implementation of supplementary immunization activities (SIAs) where appropriate. (2) All Member States should monitor two-dose measles and rubella containing vaccine (MRCV) coverage at subnational levels and implement corrective actions when needed, in line with global routine immunization strategies and practices (GRISP). India should begin to implement national wide-age range campaigns using MRCV by the end of 2016. This should be followed immediately by the introduction of MRCV in the routine immunization schedule. Indonesia should begin to implement national wide-age range campaigns using MRCV by mid-2017. This should be followed immediately by the introduction of MRCV in the routine immunization schedule. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea should introduce MRCV in the routine immunization schedule as soon as possible, preferably no later than 2017. All Member States should consider verification of measles and rubella immunity status during the school and college admission process, and also among other risk groups, and plan vaccination as necessary. All Member states should consider developing subnational measles elimination and rubella control/elimination workplans, such as those that have proved to be effective in the polio eradication programme.
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ITAG recommendations related to MR surveillance: (1) All Member States should conduct subnational risk assessments of measles and rubella transmission and implement risk reduction activities. All Member States should revise national measles and rubella surveillance guidelines in line with the updated regional surveillance guidelines and indicators. All Member States should strengthen laboratory-supported casebased surveillance for measles and rubella as per the Framework
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for Verification of Measles Elimination and Rubella Control/Elimination. India and Indonesia should continue to expand case-based surveillance following wide-age range campaigns. (4) All Member States should include linked laboratory and epidemiological case-based data in their national measles/rubella surveillance systems, and report these data to WHO on a weekly basis, in line with current reporting requirements. SEARO should update regional measles and rubella surveillance guidelines and indicators in line with the Global Framework, tailoring guidelines to account for countries at different stages of measles elimination and rubella control. SEARO should encourage operational research studies on alternative sample collection (for example, dried blood spots), new vaccine delivery technologies and point-of-care diagnostics, to support Member States such as Bhutan, Maldives, Myanmar and Nepal, where conditions are challenging.
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ITAG recommendations related to the MR laboratory network: (1) All laboratories in the Regional Measles and Rubella Network to institute a quality assurance process that includes routine internal auditing, and ensures an adequate supply of kits and reagents. All Member States to collect adequate specimens to characterize measles and rubella genotypes. Findings should be linked with epidemiological case-based data to identify chains of transmission. Findings should be regularly shared with all stakeholders.
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Among Member States with established CRS surveillance, ITAG recommended that: (1) Bangladesh and Nepal should conduct an evaluation of their CRS surveillance systems and present their findings at the next SEAR-ITAG meeting in 2017. All Member States conducting CRS surveillance to report their findings to WHO on core variables as per the data dictionary on
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a monthly basis, as well as through the joint reporting form (JRF) on an annual basis.
3.10 Data quality Accurate data is the cornerstone for formulating evidence-based policy, providing operational support for immunization systems and also essential for accountability at all levels. ITAG noted that high-quality data are crucial for monitoring progress towards achieving national, regional and global goals. ITAG noted that subnational immunization coverage was not available for some Member States, nor was there a mechanism to validate such data of Member States that did provide it. ITAG noted that demographic and GIS information needed to be updated by a few Member States and that case-based data collection and reporting for other VPDs like neonatal tetanus (NT), diphtheria and pertussis is yet to be initiated. ITAG appreciated the detailed review of data conducted by SEAR-IVD during 2015–2016 on immunization system performance and VPD surveillance performance indicators that were reported through the annual joint reporting form (JRF), and provided feedback to Member States on data quality and data analysis. ITAG notes that JRF data are an important source of information and performance indicators, which are used for the monitoring and accountability framework of GVAP and reporting to SAGE and WHA. SEAR-ITAG noted the emphasis laid by SAGE on accurate data regarding prevalence and/or incidence of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) and immunization system performance for evidence-based policy and operational support. ITAG reaffirmed the position of SAGE that the improvement of data quality should be one of the highest priorities for all stakeholders in the early part of the Decade of Vaccines. Likewise, data quality improvement is a strategic focus area in Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance’s 2016–2020 strategy; thus, Gavi-eligible countries should meet this requirement.
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ITAG recommended that Member States: (1) Conduct annual reviews to assess data quality of immunization coverage and VPD surveillance using WHO assessment tools. Incountry independent resources, such as academia and professional associations, may also be used to ensure the quality of the assessments. Develop, implement and monitor data quality improvement measures in response to the assessments, and develop surveillance data management systems to ensure that case-based data on acute flaccid paralysis (AFP), measles and rubella and other priority vaccine-preventable diseases, are collected as per WHO protocols. Conduct periodic national and subnational surveys to validate immunization coverage data. India and Indonesia should conduct periodic estimations of immunization coverage, first at the subnational level, using the WHO/UNICEF methodology for estimation of coverage. Ensure that subnational-level immunization coverage data are shared with SEARO.
(2)
(3)
(4)
ITAG recommended that SEARO provide technical support to Member States for: (1) analysing and interpreting immunization data, and using the findings to develop policies and data quality improvement measures developing data quality improvement plans and guidelines for assessing data quality, and reviewing, modifying and upgrading national AFP, measlesrubella and VPD surveillance and immunization information systems.
(2) (3)
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3.11 Vaccine quality and management National Regulatory Authority strengthening ITAG recognized that the National Regulatory Authority (NRA) of Member States is responsible for the safety, quality and efficacy of medicines/vaccines regardless of the procurement policy, that is, irrespective of whether procurement is from pre-qualified (PQ) suppliers or is locally produced. ITAG fully realizes that some NRAs in the Region have limited resources, and therefore reminded such NRAs to use measures such as using WHO pre-qualified vaccines, learning from the experience of other NRAs and working towards regulatory convergence/harmonization under internationally accepted guidelines. Also, ITAG encouraged promotion of synergies through reliance and networking among Member States in order to further strengthen the NRA capacity. ITAG also noted WHO’s role to regularly assess NRAs in the Region using standard WHO indicators to ensure that vaccines produced by regional manufacturers are considered for WHO pre-qualification. ITAG reminded that the concept of functionality has now been replaced by a benchmarking approach that indicates a country NRA’s “maturity levels” rather than it being adjudged “functional” or “nonfunctional”. Related to NRA strengthening, ITAG recommends that Member States: (1) ensure National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs) actively participate in addressing regulatory issues related to the vaccine life-cycle (namely manufacturing, regulation, distribution) in the newly instituted SEAR regulatory network, ensure NRAs enforce good distribution and storage practices, and monitor AEFI surveillance, in their respective countries,
(2)
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WHO South-East Asia Regional Immunization Technical Advisory Group (SEAR-ITAG)
(3)
Bangladesh finalized the new drug policy and drug act to reinforce the importance of the NRA, assure adequate resources, and continue to invest significantly in the NRA, and Myanmar reinforced the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to become an independent NRA and continues to invest significantly in the NRA.
(4)
Related to NRA strengthening, ITAG recommended that SEARO: (1) (2) (3) Facilitate training on the new NRA assessment tool for all concerned national staff. Support the Region and Member States in implementing recommendations of the SEAR regulatory network. support the NRA in Bangladesh to achieve a maturity level that is required for the vaccine manufacturers of the country to be eligible for WHO pre-qualification functions as early as possible. continue to support the Myanmar NRA in capacity-building, and continue to encourage and facilitate inter-country cooperation as an effective means of optimizing existing capacity and building capacity at the same time.
(4) (5)
Vaccine availability and quality ITAG recognized that there is a global need to expand the number of prequalified vaccine manufacturers to create a more stable and competitive market. ITAG appreciates the actions taken by all stakeholders to minimize stock-outs resulting from the global shortage of BCG vaccines in 2015 and to ensure availability of sufficient buffer stocks of BCG vaccines in 2016. ITAG also understands the multiple challenges in expanding the cold-chain capacity for vaccine storage in Member States, and it reminded the Gavieligible countries to make use of Gavi’s cold-chain optimization platform, where relevant to address this challenge. Furthermore, ITAG reiterated the importance of long-term cost-saving plans to help cold-chain expansion in view of planned new vaccine introductions in countries.
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Related to vaccine availability and quality, ITAG recommended that Member States: (1) especially those with limited NRA capacity, continue to exclusively use WHO pre-qualified vaccines for their immunization programmes, enhance interactions between NIP managers and vaccine producers at all levels – national, regional and global – to provide manufacturers with accurate and timely information on vaccine demands and to address current vaccine shortages, especially for basic vaccines, and explore mechanisms of cooperation, such as the ASEAN Initiative on Vaccine Security, to promote regional access to an assured quantity and quality of vaccines at an affordable price.
(2)
(3)
Related to vacine availability and quality, ITAG recommended that SEARO: (1) explore pathways to pre-qualify manufactured by Bangladesh. the cholera vaccine
3.12 Adverse events following immunization (AEFI) ITAG recognized the importance of proactively engaging the media to overcome negative fallout in case of occurrence of serious AEFI. ITAG congratulates India on the initiative taken in terms of transparency and dissemination of information by publishing AEFI details on its health ministry's website and urges other Member States to take similar approaches. ITAG took note of described policies with regard to compensation/hospitalization expenses for AEFI cases. ITAG congratulated Sri Lanka on its intensified AEFI surveillance through tracking and postmortems following reports of AEFI related to pentavalent vaccines. ITAG took note of India’s experience regarding its recently revised initiatives to improve AEFI surveillance.
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WHO South-East Asia Regional Immunization Technical Advisory Group (SEAR-ITAG)
Related to AEFI, ITAG recommended that Member States: (1) (2) work with academic institutions/partners to build capacity to conduct causality assessments for AEFI surveillance, and share AEFI data with vaccine manufacturers through the NRA and NIP to consolidate the safety profile of newly introduced vaccines.
Related to AEFI, ITAG recommended that SEARO: (1) continue to support AEFI committees in AEFI investigation activities, finalizes the manual for field investigation of AEFI, and facilitates its implementation at the country level.
3.13 New and underutilized vaccines introduction (NUVI) Dengue vaccine The ITAG took note of the progress made in the research and development of dengue vaccines. It further noted that the new WHO position paper endorsed by SAGE on dengue vaccines would be available in July 2016. However, ITAG reminded national immunization programmes and their partners that there would be many tasks to be accomplished as per SAGE recommendations, should Member States consider introducing the new dengue vaccine CYD-TDV. ITAG recommendations related to dengue vaccine: (1) Member States, considering the use of currently available dengue vaccine, should evaluate epidemiological data such as age-specific seroprevalence rates and/or age-specific incidence rates of disease. NITAG decisions with regard to introduction of the dengue vaccine should carefully consider country-level assessment, local priorities, national and subnational dengue epidemiology, predicted impact and cost-effectiveness with country-specific hospitalization rates and costs, affordability and budgetary impact.
(2)
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(3)
Dengue vaccine introduction should be part of a comprehensive dengue-control strategy that includes effective and sustained vector control, best evidence-based clinical care for patients and robust dengue surveillance.
Other NUVI ITAG noted that Member States have achieved significant progress in introducing new vaccines in the SEA Region. ITAG especially noted that although Bangladesh introduced the inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) and pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) simultaneously, it has faced several programmatic challenges. The progress in introduction of rotavirus vaccine in the Region, where Thailand has introduced rotavirus vaccine as a pilot project in a single province, while India has introduced an indigenously manufactured rotavirus vaccine in four States, was also noted. ITAG also congratulated Indonesia and Myanmar for preparatory activities to introduce the JE vaccine in their national immunization programmes in 2017. ITAG requested all Member States to share locally generated information about immunogenicity, efficacy, the duration of protection, safety issues of new vaccines introduced and challenges encountered. Related to other NUVI, ITAG recommended that: (1) Member States introducing multiple vaccines to children during a single visit should provide information, education and communication (IEC) to parents/guardians that in the event of non-availability of one (or more) vaccine(s) due to “stock-out” or any other reason, the other available vaccine(s) should be given to the child at the prescribed time in the national schedule. The vaccine(s) that is/are missed should be administered when available. Member States educate and train health staff on the value and safety of multiple vaccines administered in a single visit.
(2)
4.
The way forward ITAG requests WHO-SEARO and all partners concerned to work towards setting goals in accordance with the recommendations set forth in this
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report. It also directs them to prepare a progress report to be presented at the next annual ITAG meeting. Key actions for WHO-SEARO will be to: (1) (2) provide technical assistance to Member States and facilitate implementation of ITAG recommendations in the Region, closely monitor the status of implementation of recommendations of ITAG and support as per the needs of the Member States, strengthen research and development in the Region to generate evidence related to progress towards vaccine-preventable diseases, and present the implementation status and progress of the Region to the ITAG Chair and members in June 2017.
(3)
(4)
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Annex 1
Agenda (1) Pre-meeting – – – – – Brief overview of ITAG and NITAG operations, and review of EPI programmes by country NITAGs Polio eradication and endgame strategy Measles elimination and rubella/CRS control Maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination and control of hepatitis B Strengthening of routine immunization services and systems, introduction of new and under-utilized vaccines and related technologies NRA strengthening and vaccine production in SEAR Effective vaccine management and social mobilization Health system strengthening and immunization financial sustainability Improving data quality
– – – – (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)
Opening session of Main Meeting Review of progress and achievements since last ITAG Implementing Vaccine Action Plan Hepatitis B situation and way forward Polio eradication and endgame strategy – – – situation update outbreak response transition planning
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WHO South-East Asia Regional Immunization Technical Advisory Group (SEAR-ITAG)
(7) (8) (9)
Accelerating measles elimination and rubella/CRS control Strengthening data quality for action Maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination
(10) Strengthening vaccine quality and management (11) New and underutilized vaccine introduction
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Annex 2
List of participants Member ITAG Professor Gagandeep Kang Chairperson ITAG, and Professor Division of Gastrointestinal Sciences Christian Medical College, Vellore India Professor Sanath Lamabadusuriya Emeritus Professor, Paediatrics University of Colombo, Colombo Sri Lanka Dr Robb Linkins Chief, Accelerated Disease Control Global Immunization Division US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (USCDC), Atlanta United States of America Dr Charung Muangchana Director, National Vaccine Institute Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi Thailand Dr Yasho Vardhan Pradhan Former Director General Department of Health Services Ministry of Health, Kathmandu Nepal Professor Shahidullah Professor, Neonatology Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka Bangladesh Professor Saw Win Professor/Head (Retired) Department of Pediatrics University of Medicine 1, Yangon Myanmar
Ministry of Health Bangladesh Dr Tajul Bari Program Manager, Expanded Programme on Immunization, MNC&AH Directorate-General of Health Services, Dhaka Bangladesh Dr Syed Rezaul Islam Deputy Program Manager Expanded Programme on Immunization MNC&AH Directorate-General of Health Services, Dhaka Bangladesh
Bhutan Ms Sonam Pelden Dy Chief Lab. Officer, Public Health Royal Centre for Disease Control, Bhutan Mr Tshewang Tamang Deputy Chief Program Officer Department of Public Health Ministry of Health, Thimpu Bhutan
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Dr Chol Su Kim Senior Officer Department of External Affairs Ministry of Public Health, Pyongyang Democratic People's Republic of Korea
India Dr Pradeep Haldar Deputy Commissioner, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Government of India Delhi, India
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WHO South-East Asia Regional Immunization Technical Advisory Group (SEAR-ITAG)
Dr Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal Deputy Commissioner, Immunization Division Ministry of Health & Family Welfare Delhi, India Dr SK Garg State Immunization Officer, Medical & Health Government of Rajasthan Jaipur, India Dr Narendra Kumar Sinha State Immunization Officer Expanded Programme on Immunization Government of Bihar Patna, India Dr Amar Singh Thakur State EPI Officer, Health Government of Chhattisgarh Raipur, India
Maldives Mrs Aishath Hassan Senior Public Health Program Officer Expanded Programme on Immunization Health Protection Agency, Malé Maldives Ms Aminath Madheeha Public Health Program Officer Health Protection Agency Ministry of Health, Malé Maldives
Myanmar Dr Htar-Htar Lin Programme Manager Department of Public Health Ministry of Health, Nay Pyi Taw Myanmar Dr Kyaw-Soe-Moe Medical Officer Expanded Programme on Immunization Department of Public Health Ministry of Health, Nay Pyi Taw Myanmar
Indonesia Mrs Prima Yosephine Berliana Tumiur EPI Manager Directorate of Surveillance and Quarantine Health Ministry of Health, Jakarta Indonesia Mrs Ayu Rai Head of Section Immunization Bali Provincial Health Office, Bali Indonesia Mrs Ann Umar Early Warning Section Head Sub Directorate Surveillance Ministry of Health, Jakarta Indonesia Mrs Mursinah Researcher, National Institute of Health Research and Development Ministry of Health, Jakarta Indonesia Ms Vivi Voronika VPD Surveillance Coordinator, CDC Ministry of Health, Jakarta Indonesia
Nepal Dr Rajendra Prasad Pant Director, Child Health Division Department of Health Services Nepal Dr Taranath Poudel Regional Director Department of Health Services, Kathmandu Western Regional Health Directorate, Pokhara Nepal
Sri Lanka Dr Paba Palihawadana Chief Epidemiologist Epidemiology Unit Ministry of Health, Colombo Sri Lanka
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Dr Deepa Gamage Consultant Epidemiologist, Epidemiology Unit Ministry of Health, Colombo Sri Lanka
RCCPE/RVC/SAGE SAGE Prof Jon Abramson Chairperson SAGE, and Professor Pediatrics Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem United States of America Prof Narendra K. Arora Member SAGE and Executive Director, Research The INCLEN Trust International Delhi, India
Thailand Dr Pornsak Yoocharoen Medical Officer Expert Level, Department of Disease Control Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi Thailand Dr Pimpa Techakamolsuk Medical Officer Senior Professional Level Department of Disease Control Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi Thailand Mrs Doungjun Chanmuang Pharmacist, Senior Professional Level Department of Disease Control Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi Thailand Mr Wirat Ponlead Public Health Technical Officer Practitioner level Department of Disease Control Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi Thailand
SEA-RCCPE Dr Supamit Chunsuttiwat Chairperson SEA-RCCPE and Senior Advisor Department of Disease Control Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi Thailand
SEA-RVC Prof Shahina Tabassum Chairperson SEA-RVC and Professor & Chairman Department of Virology Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka Bangladesh
Timor-Leste Dr Triana do Rosario Corte-Real de Oliveira Head Maternal and Child Health Ministry of Health, Dili Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste Mrs Maria Angela Varela Niha Head of Surveillance Epidemiology & Surveillance Department Ministry of Health, Dili Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste Mr Manuel Mausiry EPI Programme Manager, Maternal and Child Health Ministry of Health, Dili Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste 30
NITAG Member Bhutan Dr Mimi Lhamu Mynak Chairperson, National Committee on Immunization Practices Ministry of Health, Thimpu Bhutan
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Dr Myong Su Pak Director General, State Hygiene Control Board Ministry of Public Health, Pyongyang Democratic People's Republic of Korea
WHO South-East Asia Regional Immunization Technical Advisory Group (SEAR-ITAG)
Indonesia Mr Kuntjoro Harimurti Member, Internal Medicine The Indonesian Technical Advisory Group on Immunization, Jakarta Indonesia
Donors and partners BMGF Dr Raj Shankar Ghosh Deputy Director Vaccine Delivery & Infectious Diseases Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Delhi, India
Maldives Dr Nazla Luthfee Consultant, Pediatrics Medical Hospital, Malé Maldives
CDC Dr Kimberley Fox Chief, Immunization Systems Branch Global Immunization Division CDC, Atlanta United States of America Dr Rania Tohme Team Lead, Global Immunization Division CDC, Atlanta United States of America Dr Emma Lebo Epidemiologist, Global Immunization Division CDC, Atlanta United States of America
Myanmar Professor Soe-Lwin Nyein Director General Department of Public Health Ministry of Health, Nay Pyi Taw Myanmar
Nepal Dr Ramesh Kant Adhikari Chairman National Committee on Immunization Practices Ministry of Health, Kathmandu Nepal
Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance Mr Dirk Gehl Senior Country Officer, Country Programmes Gavi Secretariat, Geneva Switzerland Ms Carol Szeto Senior Country Manager - India, Country Support Gavi Secretariat, Geneva Switzerland Mr Par Eriksson Consultant South-East Asia Programme Delivery Team Gavi Secretariat, Geneva Switzerland Mr Nicolas Theopold Strategy Manager Gavi Secretariat, Geneva Switzerland
Thailand Dr Sombat Thanprasertsuk Senior Expert in Prevention Medicine Department of Disease Control Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi Thailand
Timor-Leste Ms Virna Martins Sam Chairperson, National Immunization Technical Advisory Group Ministry of Health, Dili Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste
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IAP Dr Pramod Jog President Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) Mumbai, India
Mr Lokesh Gupta Manager, Rotary International India Polioplus Committee New Delhi, India
Sabin Vaccine Institute Dr Mike McQuestion Director, Sustainable Immunization Financing Sabin Vaccine Institute, Washington United States of America Dr Devendra Gnawali Senior Program Officer Sustainable Immunization Financing Program Sabin Vaccine Institute, Washington United States of America
JSI Ms. Lora Shimp Senior Immunization Technical Officer John Snow, Inc (JSI), Boston United States of America Dr Bhrigu Kapuria Senior Immunization Advisor, Immunization JSI Delhi, India
PATH Dr Bill Letson Scientific Advisor for Japanese Encephalitis PATH, Seattle United States of America Dr Shalini Khare Senior Program Officer JE Vaccination and Sustainability Project PATH Delhi, India
IVAC Ms Lois Privor-Dumm Director, Policy, Advocacy & Communications International Vaccine Access Centre IVAC/ Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore United States of America
UNICEF HQ Dr Robin Nandy Principal Advisor & Chief of Immunization Health Section, UNICEF, New York United States of America Mr Richard Duncan Senior Immunization Specialist Health Section, UNICEF, New York United States of America
PHFI Dr Jyoti Joshi Deputy Director Immunization Technical Support Unit Public Health Foundation of India Delhi, India Dr Vineeth Varanasi Associate Advisor Immunization Technical Advisory Group Public Health Foundation of India Delhi, India
Supply Division Mrs Ann Egede Ottosen Senior Manager, Vaccine Centre UNICEF Supply Division, København Denmark Mr Hans Christiansen Contracts Manager, Vaccine Centre UNICEF, København Denmark
Rotary International Mr Deepak Kapur Chairman, Rotary International India Polioplus Committee New Delhi, India
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WHO South-East Asia Regional Immunization Technical Advisory Group (SEAR-ITAG)
EAPRO Dr Xiaojun Wang Immunization Specialist Young Child Survival and Development UNICEF Regional Office for East Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok Thailand
Myanmar Ms Penelope Campbell Chief, Young Child Survival and Development UNICEF, Yangon Myanmar
Nepal Dr Hendrikus Raaijmakers Chief, Health UNICEF, Kathmandu Nepal
ROSA Dr Yin Yin Aung Regional Immunization Specialist, Health UNICEF Regional Office for South Asia, Kathmandu Nepal Dr Andreas Hasman Regional Immunization Specialist, Health UNICEF Regional Office for South Asia, Kathmandu Dr Srihari Dutta Regional Immunization Specialist, Health UNICEF Regional Office for South Asia Kathmandu, Nepal
Timor-Leste Dr Hemlal Sharma Chief, Health and Nutrition System UNICEF, Dili Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste
Observers GlaxoSmithKline Dr Anil Dutta Vice=President-Clinical/Medical, R & D GSK Vaccines, Wavre Belgium Dr Sanjay Gandhi Vice-President, South Asia (Vaccines) Clinical R&D, Medical Affairs & Public Health GSK Maharashtra, India
India Dr Yaron Wolman Chief, Health Section UNICEF New Delhi, India Ms Nicole Deutsch Chief, Polio UNICEF New Delhi, India Dr Satish Gupta Health Specialist, Immunization UNICEF New Delhi, India
Others Ms Jyotsna Ghoshal Senior Director, Corporate Affairs MSD Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd. Haryana, India Dr Saurabh Sharma Director, Immunization Policy & Advocacy Sanofi Pasteur India Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi, India Mr Samir Deb Senior Advisor, Public Affairs (Vaccines) Sanofi Pasteur India Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi, India
Indonesia Ms Kenny Peetosutan Health Specialist, Immunization Child Survival and Development UNICEF, Jakarta Indonesia
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Dr Ranjana Kumar Independent observer New Delhi, India
Serum Institute of India Mr S.K. Bahl Director, Business and Regulatory Affairs Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi, India
Dr Balwinder Singh National Professional Officer (Routine Immunization) Polio World Health Organization New Delhi, India
WCO Indonesia Dr Vinod Kumar Bura Medical Officer Immunization and Vaccine Development World Health Organization, Jakarta Indonesia Mrs Niprida Mardin National Professional Officer Immunization and Vaccine Development World Health Organization, Jakarta Indonesia
IAIM Dr Shyam Raj Upreti Governing Council Member International Association of Immunization Managers (IAIM), Kathmandu Nepal
WHO WCO BANGLADESH Dr Jayantha Liyanage Medical Officer EPI Immunization and Vaccine Development World Health Organization, Dhaka Bangladesh Dr Stephen Chacko Medical Officer, Immunization Systems Strengthening Immunization and Vaccine Development World Health Organization, Dhaka Bangladesh
WCO Maldives Dr Shushil Pant Medical Officer, Public Health World Health Organization, Malé Maldives
WCO Myanmar Dr Rajendra Bohara Technical Officer, EPI Immunization and Vaccine Development World Health Organization, Yangon Myanmar
WCO Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Dr Zobaidul Haque Khan Technical Officer (Epidemiology) World Health Organization, Pyongyang Democratic People's Republic of Korea
WCO Nepal Dr Ganga Ram Choudhary Team Lead, IPD World Health Organization, Kathmandu Nepal
WCO Sri Lanka Dr Navaratnasingam Janakan National Professional Officer, CDC World Health Organization. Colombo Sri Lanka
WCO India Dr Pankaj Bhatnagar National Professional Officer (Immunization), Polio World Health Organization New Delhi, India
WCO Thailand Ms Aree Moungsookjareoun EPI focal point
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WHO South-East Asia Regional Immunization Technical Advisory Group (SEAR-ITAG)
WCO Thailand World Health Organization, Bangkok Thailand
WHO-SEARO Dr Pem Namgyal Director, Department of Family Health, Gender and Life Course World Health Organization New Delhi, India Dr Nihal Abeysinghe Acting Coordinator, Immunization and Vaccine Development World Health Organization New Delhi, India Dr Sunil Bahl Regional Adviser, Immunization and Vaccine Development World Health Organization New Delhi, India Dr Sigrun Roesel Technical Officer, Immunization and Vaccine Development World Health Organization New Delhi, India Ms Sirima Pattamadilok Scientist, Immunization and Vaccine Development World Health Organization New Delhi, India Ms Uttara Aggarwal Technical Officer, Immunization Immunization and Vaccine Development World Health Organization New Delhi, India Dr Martin Eisenhawer Scientist, Immunization and Vaccine Development World Health Organization New Delhi, India Dr Pushpa Ranjan Wijesinghe Medical Officer, Immunization and Vaccine Development World Health Organization New Delhi, India
WCO Timor-Leste Dr Sudath Peiris Technical Officer Immunization and Vaccine Development World Health Organization, Dili Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste Mr Mateus Cunha NPO/GAVI/HSS, Immunization World Health Organization, Dili Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste
WHO HQ Mr Michel Zaffran Director, Polio Eradication World Health Organization, Geneva Switzerland Dr Joachim Hombach Senior Adviser, Initiative for Vaccine Research World Health Organization, Geneva Switzerland Dr Philippe Duclos Senior Health Adviser Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals World Health Organization, Geneva Switzerland Dr Patrick Zuber Group Lead, EMP Global Vaccine Safety World Health Organization, Geneva Switzerland Dr Robert Perry Medical Officer, IVB World Health Organization, Geneva Switzerland Ms Ebru Ekeman POL World Health Organization, Geneva Switzerland
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Dr Sudhir Khanal Medical Officer, Immunization and Vaccine Development World Health Organization New Delhi, India Mr Tika Ram Sedai Technical Officer, Immunization and Vaccine Development World Health Organization New Delhi, India
Dr Aarti Garg Junior Professional for Public Health Immunization and Vaccine Development World Health Organization New Delhi, India
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The seventh meeting of the World Health Organization's South-East Asia Regional Immunization Technical Advisory Group (SEAR-ITAG) was held from 7 to 10 June 2016 in New Delhi, India. SEAR-ITAG is a regional technical expert group comprising of experts from disciplines such as programme management, communicable diseases/vaccine preventable diseases (VPD) control, virology, epidemiology and immunization. SEAR-ITAG provides support on setting regional priorities for immunization and technical support for strengthening routine immunization services to member states. It meets annually with the participation of national Expanded Programme of Immunization (EPI) managers, VPD surveillance focal points and partners to review progress on increasing immunization coverage, VPD surveillance performance, programme issues, and matters related to vaccine safety and quality assurance. Further, it provides guidance on ways to improve and sustain overall high quality performance of EPI in member states. This publication provides an overview of conclusions and recommendations of the annual meeting of the SEAR-ITAG held in 2016.
World Health House Indraprastha Estate Mahatma Gandhi Marg New Delhi-110002, India
SEA-IMMUN-105