SIVAC
A New Context for Immunization
Over the past decade, governments and donors have committed tremendous resources to improving the health of the world’s poor. Governments have established funding mechanisms and engaged in partnerships such as the GAVI Alliance and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund). Charitable organizations and donors such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation have also committed large sums to providing people with greater access to health care.
Despite these advances, at least two million people die each year from vaccine preventable diseases—the majority of them young children in the developing world. This is due to several factors, including:
- Multiple health priorities
- Higher cost of new vaccines and technologies
- Shortages of skilled health workers
- Failure to adapt global and regional recommendations to the local context
- Limited mandate of Inter-agency Coordinating Committees (ICCs)
In response to these challenges, AMP’s SIVAC Initiative is working with partners to develop or strengthen National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups (NITAGs) in GAVI-eligible and middle-income countries. The aim is to enhance the use of evidence-based decision making in the development of immunization programs and policies.
What is a NITAG?
A NITAG is a body of national experts that can assist national governments to address:
• Immunization policies and strategies
• Introduction of new vaccines and immunization technologies
• Vaccine quality and safety
• Public health needs for new and emerging vaccine-preventable diseases
• All other issues related to immunization and vaccines
Main Activities
SIVAC’s activities are organized around five focus areas:
1. Partnerships: Ensuring maximum coordination with global and regional efforts to improve evidence-based decision making related to immunization
2. NITAG creation: Assisting in the creation of at least seven NITAGs
3. NITAG strengthening: Reinforcing at least six NITAGs
4. Inter-country committee(s): Evaluating the feasibility and value of supporting a regional approach in West Africa to assist countries in establishing NITAGs
5. NITAG Resource Center: Creating and managing an online resource center, which provides information, tools, and briefings to NITAGs and the global immunization community