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SDG 3: Vaccination

Abstract

In Europe, National Immunisation Technical Advisory Groups (NITAGs) were established in most countries to promote evidence-informed decision-making in introducing new or improved vaccines or changing recommendations for existing ones. Still, the role, activities and outcomes of NITAGs have not been optimally implemented across Europe. Within the European Joint Action on Vaccination (EU-JAV), we conducted a survey to collect information on decision-making process including the main criteria for the introduction of new vaccines or changes to recommendations on their use. Between December 2021 and January 2022, 13 of the 28 European countries invited participated in an online survey. The criteria ranked as most relevant were disease burden and availability of financial resources. Only one country specified that the NITAG recommendations were binding for the government or the health authority. Vaccinations more often reported for introduction or recommendation changes were those against herpes zoster, influenza, human papillomavirus infection, pneumococcal and meningococcal disease. The planned changes will mainly address children and adolescents (2–18 years) and adults (≥ 45–65 years). Our findings show potential overlaps in the activities of NITAGs between countries; and therefore, collaboration between NITAGs may lead to optimisation of the workload and better use of resources.

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/content/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2023.28.43.2300131
2023-10-26
2024-12-24
/content/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2023.28.43.2300131
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Role of the National Immunisation Technical Advisory Groups in 13 European countries in the decision-making process on vaccine recommendations
<p class="citation"> <span>Citation style for this article:</span> <span class="meta-value authors"> <a href="/search?value1=Domenico+Martinelli&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Martinelli Domenico</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Filippo+Quattrone&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Quattrone Filippo</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Francesca+Fortunato&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Fortunato Francesca</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Elisa+Di+Maggio&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Di Maggio Elisa</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Antonietta+Filia&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Filia Antonietta</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Maria+Cristina+Rota&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Rota Maria Cristina</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Pier+Luigi+Lopalco&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Lopalco Pier Luigi</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Rosa+Prato&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Prato Rosa</a></span>. Role of the National Immunisation Technical Advisory Groups in 13 European countries in the decision-making process on vaccine recommendations. <a href="/content/ecdc">Euro Surveill.</a> 2023;28(43):pii=2300131. <a href="https://doi.org/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2023.28.43.2300131" title="doi link" target="_blank">https://doi.org/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2023.28.43.2300131</a> <span class="ES_Article_citation"> <span class="generated">Received</span>: 20 Feb 2023;&nbsp;&nbsp; <span class="generated">Accepted</span>: 22 Aug 2023 </span> </p>
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