NCIRS Global Health: accelerating immunisation progress across Southeast Asia and the Pacific

NCIRS is proud to announce the continued growth and impact of its Global Health team, which is driving progress in immunisation and health system strengthening across Southeast Asia and the Pacific region.

With deep expertise in vaccine preventable disease control, vaccine policy, program implementation, and immunisation research in low- and middle-income countries, NCIRS’ Global Health team works in close partnership with governments and other key stakeholders. 

Through the provision of technical support and a data-driven, evidence-based approach, the team is helping to build lasting capacity and develop tools that are strengthening immunisation systems regionally and globally.

The Global Health team has worked with multiple countries and partners in Southeast Asia and the Pacific, funded by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance; and others. This has included a large program of work in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Examples from the past year are numerous. In the Solomon Islands, NCIRS is supporting the rollout of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine and a major ‘catch-up’ campaign for girls aged 9–14 years, and embedded in-country technical support is helping build sustainable capacity in the Solomon Islands national immunisation program a range of ways. 

In Vietnam, progress has been made in strengthening evidence-based decision-making, including through cost-effectiveness analyses for pneumococcal vaccines; support of a training needs assessment of immunisation providers; and wider efforts to support healthcare workers to deliver life-saving vaccines. 

In the Philippines, NCIRS has worked closely with the Department of Health to enhance vaccine safety systems and support the country's establishment of its National Immunisation Technical Advisory Group (NITAG). 

Elsewhere, additional progress is being made in assisting Fiji’s Ministry of Health and Medical Services in updating and expanding its national immunisation training package, while in Timor-Leste, NCIRS is continuing to support the work of the country’s renewed NITAG.  

These milestones align with the launch of the NCIRS Global Health Strategy 2025–2030, which outlines a clear vision to strengthen regional and global collaborations; improve immunisation systems; and drive progress towards equitable access to vaccines and health services.

In the wake of the release of the Strategy, NCIRS has welcomed Professor Gulam Khandaker, who has joined the organisation as Associate Director and Head of Global Health and will lead this next phase of growth. 

A public health physician with more than 18 years’ experience in clinical research, health systems leadership and international partnerships, Professor Khandaker brings deep expertise in vaccine preventable diseases, communicable disease control and public health strategy. His leadership will strengthen NCIRS’ role in supporting countries to improve immunisation systems, surveillance capacity and access to life-saving vaccines.

‘The growth of NCIRS Global Health and the achievements of our team across the region are a testament to the strength of collaboration and evidence-based action,’ said NCIRS Director Professor Kristine Macartney. ‘With Professor Khandaker joining as Associate Director, we’re ready to expand our impact and help drive greater equity in immunisation and disease prevention across the region.’ 

With a growing team, a bold strategy and strong partnerships, NCIRS’ Global Health team is well placed to accelerate progress towards healthier futures for communities across Southeast Asia and the Pacific.