Left to right: Dr Ted (Xuanchen) Tao (NCIRS), Mr Jone Tawake (Fiji), Dr Nestor Arce (Philippines), Dr Anny (Yuanfei) Huang (NCIRS), Dr Carmina Vera (Philippines) and Dr Ilisapeci Vereti Tuibeqa (Fiji) at the Global National Immunisation Technical Advisory Group Meeting 2025, Marrakesh, Morocco. 

Responses to global survey presented in Morocco

In November, Dr Anny Huang, Senior Medical Officer at NCIRS, presented results of a global survey of national immunisation technical advisory group (NITAG) secretariats at the sixth Global NITAG Network Meeting in Marrakesh, Morocco.

The online survey was completed by 84 countries and highlighted the need for increased funding for the secretariats, which support NITAGs in providing independent advice on vaccines and vaccination to national governments around the world.

There are 178 NITAGs globally, many of which are supported by a secretariat structure that facilitates operations and evidence-based decision-making.

‘The survey gave the NITAG community a better appreciation of how these secretariats support their respective NITAGs, and highlighted areas where targeted capacity building and advocacy can make a real difference,’ said Dr Huang.

Background to the survey

At the request of the Global NITAG Network (GNN) Steering Committee, NCIRS Global Health undertook a survey of NITAG secretariats worldwide to capture different structures, functions and perceived needs.

Initial results were presented at the March 2025 meeting of the World Health Organization Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) and led to a call for increased domestic funding for NITAG secretariats in the official SAGE meeting conclusions and recommendations.

The survey also informed changes to the question on NITAGs in the World Health Organization/UNICEF Joint Reporting Form on the presence of a dedicated NITAG secretariat.

Key findings for Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific

The survey revealed that many NITAG secretariats in Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific operated with an administrative capacity of less than one full-time equivalent staff member.

Administrative funding was raised as a particular concern in the Southeast Asian region.

Technical challenges also remained significant, with top technical challenges for Southeast Asia including access to a variety of evidence sources, and capacity in modelling and evidence synthesis.

In the Western Pacific region, both administrative and technical secretariat staff reported challenges in managing competing duties, with additional technical challenges including workload and accessing international information.

Recommendations from the survey included expanding the technical role of NITAG secretariats, supporting continuing learning, and strengthening secretariat engagement in global and regional networks.

From recommendations to practice – NCIRS Global Health in 2025

In 2025, NCIRS continued to strengthen NITAGs by following its 2025–2030 Global Health Strategy, and focusing on evidence-based decision-making, alignment with global frameworks like Immunization Agenda 2030 and Gavi 5.0, and robust vaccination programs.

A major initiative was a Gavi-funded multi-country project in Vietnam, Timor-Leste, Fiji, and the Philippines.

It included workshops on evidence-based decision-making in vaccination policy – such as approaches to introducing new vaccines – and provided administrative support to improve how NITAGs operate.

Capacity building was central to much of NCIRS’ work in 2025, with the Global Health team co-designing workshops with partners, offering remote and in-country technical assistance, and creating peer-learning opportunities, including longitudinal partnerships with NITAGs and their secretariats through a ‘twinning’ approach.

The important role that support staff play in the operation of NITAGs was also recognised, with the Philippine NITAG secretariat undertaking a study visit to NCIRS, and the Fiji Vaccine Preventable Diseases Committee secretariat visiting NCIRS and participating in the Australian Vaccinology Course. 

Such exchanges are helping secretariats move beyond administrative tasks to become teams with both technical and administrative expertise.

They also enhance regional collaboration and evidence-based policy making – contributing to the long-term resilience of immunisation programs.

‘Increasing the capacity of secretariats means they can give better support to their NITAG. This, in turn makes NITAGs more effective,’ said Dr Huang.

Looking ahead

In its continuing role as a technical partner of the GNN, NCIRS remains committed to supporting NITAGs and their secretariats.

‘Building on the insights from the global survey – while also being responsive to the specific needs of our local partners in different countries – is vital for NCIRS’s work,’ said Dr Huang.

‘Secretariats are often the secret ingredient of an effective and prolific NITAG.’

By building their capacity – and fostering stronger global and regional networks – NCIRS is ensuring that NITAGs remain a cornerstone of robust, equitable and sustainable immunisation programs worldwide.