Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics (Oct 2018)

Existence and functionality of national immunisation technical advisory groups in Africa from 2010 to 2016

  • Alison B. Wiyeh,
  • Evanson Z. Sambala,
  • Ntombenhle Ngcobo,
  • Charles S. Wiysonge

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/21645515.2018.1475815
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14, no. 10
pp. 2447 – 2451

Abstract

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We describe the existence and functionality of National Immunisation Technical Advisory Groups (NITAGs) in Africa between 2010 and 2016, using data from the WHO-UNICEF Joint Reporting Form. The number of African countries with NITAGs increased from 15 (28%) in 2010 to 26 (48%) in 2016. Countries with a functioning NITAG increased from 5(9%) in 2010 to 16 (30%) in 2016. In 2016, 13 of the 27 (48%) low-income African countries reported having a NITAG; seven (54%) of them functional. Thirteen of the 26 (50%) middle-income countries reported having a NITAG; nine (69%) of them functional. In 2016, six of the seven African countries (86%) in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region had a NITAG, with three (50%) functional. In the WHO African Region, 20 of the 47 countries (43%) had NITAGs; 13 (65%) of them functional. Substantial investments should be made to ensure that every African country has a functional NITAG.

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