Report on first meeting of the Regional NITAG Network Meeting of the Americas

The First Meeting of the Regional National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) Network of the America was held in Antigua, Guatemala on 5-6 October 2022. It was attended by 115 participants from across 22 countries including NITAG presidents and members and Expanded Program on Immunization managers. 

The meeting’s main objectives were the following: 

• Launch the Regional NITAG Network;
• Strengthen NITAG performance;
• Train participants in the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) Framework and on how to review scientific evidence for the formulation of recommendations; 
• Discuss the processes for evidence-based decision making on immunization issues, 
• Share lessons learned from NITAGs in the Region.

The main next steps from the meeting are:  

• Develop a short-term action plan;            
• Promote a legal basis for countries that do not have one;
• Encourage diversity of expertise among NITAG members;
• Strengthen capacities in formulating and adapting evidence-informed recommendations and implementation strategies;
• Increase transparency among NITAGs, the public and stakeholders by centralizing communication;
• Exchange experiences and lessons learned in real time;
• Encourage twinning;
• Develop digital knowledge translation tools and resources;
• Secure funding for NITAG activities and human resources in EPIs;
•  Increase education opportunities in vaccines and vaccination,
• Participate in the Global NITAG Network (GNN).

Photo: Regional NITAG Network Meeting Guatemala (Credit: WHO/PAHO-M.Rondy)