SENSE

Strengthening National Immunisation Technical Advisory Groups and their Evidence-based Decision-making in the WHO European Region and globally

Context

Vaccinations constitute a powerful public health measure for preventing millions of deaths every year. Effective immunisation programmes are crucial for resilient and sustainable health-care systems and global health security. National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups (NITAGs) provide sustainable, evidence-based, country-specific recommendations to ministries of health to support them in their decision-making on immunisation policies. In the last few years, the number of NITAGs in World Health Organization (WHO) European Region member states has increased significantly. Strengthening these NITAGs, especially in middle-income countries, offers the potential to increase national immunisation coverage and decrease the burden of vaccine-preventable diseases. Based on the experience gained in previous projects, SENSE seeks to improve the structure and operation of NITAGs by aligning them with WHO recommendations, implementing a systematic evidence-based recommendation-making process and enhancing collaboration among NITAGs. In cooperation with the Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Public Health Research at the Robert Koch Institute and WHO, the project is developing an automated, artificial intelligence-based method and dashboard which allows NITAGs to identify, synthesise and display systematic reviews of vaccines and vaccine-preventable diseases. Implementation of the dashboard is accompanied by training and an e-learning course. Ultimately, these measures will allow policy-makers to take evidence-informed decisions on infection prevention and control measures, which will contribute to strengthening countries’ public health systems.

Objective

Strengthening the capacity and functioning of NITAGs within the WHO European Region (especially middle-income countries) and worldwide.

In Cooperation with

  • World Health Organization (WHO) Headquarters, Switzerland
  • WHO Regional Office for Europe (WHO/Europe), Denmark
  • Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), Canada
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), USA
  • NITAG chairs/secretariats in participating WHO/Europe Member States

Thematic priorities

  • Digital solutions
  • Infection prevention and control
  • Strengthening of public health systems

Facts

Duration

01.01.2023 - 31.12.2025

Budget

ca. 960,000 EUR

Project Countries

  • Worldwide

Implementing Institution

Robert Koch Institute

Contact

Dr. Thomas Harder
Robert Koch Institute (RKI)
Nordufer 20, 13353 Berlin, Germany
hardert@rki.de

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Activities

  • Research and provision of evidence

    Developing an automated artificial intelligence-based dashboard to identify, synthesise and display existing systematic reviews of immunisation and vaccine-preventable diseases.

  • Networking and cooperation

    Enhancing collaboration among NITAGs in the WHO European region and beyond.

  • Capacity development

    Establishing a systematic, evidence-based process to generate recommendations to support policy decisions; improving the structure, functioning and cooperation of NITAGs, according to WHO recommendations.