National Immunisation Technical Advisory Groups (NITAGs) are multidisciplinary groups of national experts who provide independent advice to policy-makers on issues related to immunisation and vaccines, based on evidence and the national context. The Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP) 2011–2020 and 2017 World Health Assembly resolution call on governments to establish and strengthen these advisory bodies, acknowledging their pivotal role in decision-making and in achieving national health goals. Although the number of NITAGs doubled between 2010 and 2016, accelerated progress is needed in order to meet the goal of a functional NITAG in all countries by 2020.
This report presents the findings of a scoping exercise initiated by the Wellcome Trust and the World Health Organization to determine how different types of NITAGs could be supported in the coming years. It is written for organisations who are familiar with and considering supporting the next phase of NITAGs’ development, NITAG members, and national and global stakeholders with whom NITAGs engage.