Lastest News

Visit Made to Ghana to Assess the Feasibility of Support for Establishing a NITAG

The West African Health Organisation (WAHO) and SIVAC jointly visited Ghana to assess the feasibility and relevance of establishing a NITAG in the country. The team met with health authorities, including the Honorable Minister of Health Joseph Yeileh Chereh, experts and partners. Ghana and other countries from the sub-region expressed interest in receiving support for NITAG creation following the information meeting held in Ouagadougou in April 2011.

Vietnamese Minister of Health Endorses Concept Paper for NITAG Strengthening

The Vietnamese Minister of Health approved the concept paper for the strengthening of the Vietnamese committee on the use of vaccines and biological products on December 3, 2011. The work plan is currently being developed and will be implemented in the next few weeks.

Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan are About to Establish NITAGs

SIVAC visited health authorities in both Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan to support the development of final documents preceding the creation of their respective NITAGs.

Visit to Mongolia to Revise and Finalize Work Plans

SIVAC followed up on ongoing activities in Mongolia during a visit from November 7-11.  Meeting was held at the Ministry of Health to review the NITAG work plan and budget for 2011 and to prepare the 2012 work plan. The documents are now waiting for Vice-Minister’s approval.

Nepal Visit Helps Finalize NCIP Work Plan

SIVAC went to Kathmandu in mid-November to finalize the work plan and budget for the Nepalese National Committee on Immunization Practices (NCIP). In addition, SIVAC participated in a joint NCIP-Ministry of Health and Prevention consultation meeting in Kathmandu, which aimed to define national immunization strategies (for Japanese encephalitis, tetanus and polio vaccines). Meeting attendees also included international experts from the WHO headquarters and its South-East Asia Regional Office (SEARO), as well as from the United States Centers for Disease Control (US CDC).

Lebanon’s NITAG Finalizes its Work Plan

SIVAC and the Lebanese team finalized the work plan for strengthening the Lebanese NITAG. The Chairman and Secretary are now reviewing the draft agreement and budget.

SIVAC Attends PAHO Regional Workshop on Cost-Effectiveness of HPV Vaccination

Ahead of SIVAC’s collaboration with WHO for the generalization of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) ProVac Initiative tools and methodologies, SIVAC participated in the Regional ProVac Workshop on the cost-effectiveness of HPV vaccination and screening strategies for cervical cancer control, held on November 2-4 in Bogota, Colombia. The workshop was attended by 140 participants representing professionals from 26 countries of the region as well as by several international organizations and academic institutions.

SIVAC and WHO/EMRO Organize a Joint Workshop on Collaboration Between National Regulatory Authority (NRA) and National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG)

Representatives from 12 countries participated in a workshop that aimed to strengthen the collaboration between National Regulatory Authorities (NRA) and National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups (NITAG). The workshop, organized by SIVAC and the WHO Regional Office for Eastern Mediterranean (EMRO), was held in Sharm El Sheikh from October 31 to November 31. A work plan in various countries will now be developed by SIVAC and WHO/EMRO.