STEP

Strengthening Technical Capacities for Evidence-based Decision-making on Immunisation Policies and Strategies

Context

National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups (NITAGs) support political decision-makers in developing effective immunisation strategies. Experiences gained in previous projects have shown that NITAGs in middle-income countries (MICs) in the WHO European Region operate at varying levels. Together with the WHO Regional Office for Europe (WHO EURO), STEP seeks to develop a tailored approach to the needs of NITAGs in MICs to implement a systematic, evidence-based process. In collaboration with the Centre for International Health Protection (ZIG3) at the Robert Koch Institute, a needs assessment will be conducted with NITAGs in MICs to design or adapt content and formats that support the development of evidence-based vaccination recommendations. These resources will be made available through a digital platform in the form of online courses, templates, and best-practice examples, accessible worldwide to all NITAGs and supported in cooperation with the WHO. In addition, STEP will promote regional exchange and networking among NITAGs to facilitate collaboration and peer learning. At least one NITAG will be supported in serving as a regional centre of excellence for evidence-based vaccination recommendation processes. It will also act as a key partner for networking and exchange with other NITAGs in the region.

 

Objective

Improved use of a systematic, evidence-based approach to developing vaccination recommendations in middle-income countries of the WHO European Region by strengthening the capacities of NITAGs

 

In Cooperation with

  • WHO Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen, Denmark
  • WHO Headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland​

Thematic priorities

  • Crisis response
  • Digital solutions
  • Infection prevention and control

Facts

Duration

01.01.2026 - 31.12.2028

Budget

ca. 1,110,000 EUR

Project Countries

  • Albania
  • Armenia
  • Azerbaijan
  • Belarus
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Georgia
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Montenegro
  • Republic of Moldova
  • Serbia
  • Tajikistan
  • Turkmenistan
  • Türkiye
  • Ukraine
  • Uzbekistan

Implementing Institution

Robert Koch Institute

Contact

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

Activities

  • Research and provision of evidence

    STEP develops e-learning courses, templates, and best-practice examples for NITAGs of middle-income countries in the WHO European Region to establish a systematic, evidence-based process to generate vaccination recommendations.

  • Networking and cooperation

    The project enhances the collaboration among NITAGs in the WHO European Region through joint meetings and training and beyond through the global NITAG Network (GNN) of WHO Headquarters.

  • Training and competence development

    STEP conducts training and workshops and provision of e-learning courses, templates and best-practice examples for NITAGs of middle-income countries in the WHO European Region to establish a systematic, evidence-based process to generate vaccination recommendations.

  • Policy support

    The project supports and capacitates NITAGs in MICs of the WHO European Region.