How regional NITAG networks can be used to share resources and improve vaccine policies across countries.
The Southeast European Center for Surveillance and Control of Infectious Diseases (SECID), a PIVI partner since 2016, continues to find new innovative approaches to improve influenza vaccination policies and programs in the Southeast European (SEE) region. Most recently, SECID began development of a regional NITAG (National Immunization Technical Advisory Group) network to bring together experts from countries across the region to share expertise, resources, and experience. This regional network will help SECID countries strengthen cross-border collaborations around immunization, improving their ability to make critical vaccine policy decisions and their capacity to respond to respiratory threats.
Also, SECID is collecting data about influenza vaccine knowledge, attitudes and beliefs in health care workers and other risk groups in participating countries through different studies to better understand regional vaccine demand.
SECID represents a consortium of 10 countries in the SEE region that includes Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo*, the Republic of North Macedonia, the Republic of Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, and the Republic of Serbia Most of these countries also comprise the South-Eastern Europe Health Network (SEEHN), of which SECID is a key component, which was established in 2001 with the goal of promoting peace, reconciliation, and health security in the region.
During a regional meeting in September, SECID countries came together along with public health experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), The Task Force for Global Health (TFGH), World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe (WHO EURO), to discuss the formal establishment of a regional NITAG network. NITAGs provide evidence-based recommendations to guide national immunization policies. These groups ensure that country immunization programs are informed by the most up-to-date global and local data that are incorporated into the epidemiological and social contexts within each region. NITAGs are especially important in regions that face logistical barriers or limited resources when implementing vaccine programs. A regional NITAG network will offer an opportunity for the countries to coordinate and share resources and experiences, which improves the effectiveness of immunization programs.
The idea and interest in the regional NITAG network in SECID began in 2019 but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, with renewed focus, SECID aims to create this group which will meet regularly to share tips on conducting studies, as well as findings from studies in key populations and other evidence that may be relevant across the region. The collaboration will facilitate ongoing dialogue on vaccine introduction, distribution strategies, and public health campaigns aimed at increasing vaccine uptake across the region.
This shared network is especially valuable in this region for several reasons. The small size of many of the SECID countries makes cross-country initiatives like this particularly beneficial. Additionally, the relatively recent establishment of several NITAGs in the region during the COVID-19 pandemic means
that newer NITAGs can learn from one another and work together toward joint goals. Data gaps for influenza and other respiratory viruses can also be answered more efficiently by joint evidence review across a network. Building stronger relationships between experts will allow for greater collaboration and ultimately result in better preparation for epidemics and pandemics.
To learn more about SECID’s work or the regional meeting, visit:
https://www.instagram.com/secid_seehn/
https://www.facebook.com/secids/
*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence