NITAG Support Hub (NISH) Webinar Series
Applying Vaccine Prioritization Strategies for Optimized Public Health Outcomes
This webinar series, of five sessions, is designed to strengthen the capacity of NITAGs and their secretariats in the areas of New Vaccine Introduction Prioritization and Vaccine Program Optimization (VPOP). The series will run from October 2025 and aims to:
- Provide a structured learning pathway on prioritization and optimization concepts.
- Introduce and demonstrate the use of the NVI-PST Tool to support evidence-informed recommendations.
- Facilitate peer-to-peer exchange and sharing of lessons learned across the region.
- Support countries in adapting prioritization and optimization approaches to their context.
Help Us Support Your NITAG
We would appreciate your NITAG (at least two members/member and Chair) completing the Baseline support survey to let us know your country NITAG needs. This will be critical to help us plan for how NISH and partners may provide the best support after the webinar training ends in January.
You can meet with your NITAG to do this at your convenience and submit a response (you may also resubmit another response with more inputs later, if more NITAG members become available).
Session 1: Overview of New Vaccine Introduction Prioritization and Vaccine Program Optimization
Purpose / Outcome:
- Build a shared understanding of prioritization and optimization concepts.
- Distinguish between prioritization for new vaccine introduction and optimization of existing vaccine portfolios.
- Clarify the NITAG’s role in decision-making on these topics.
Recording and Slide Deck
Session Recording (English)
Session Recording (French)
Downloadable Resources
Slide Deck (PDF): Download Presentation Slides (English)
Slide Deck (PDF): Télécharger les diapositives de présentation (French)
We value your feedback! Please take a moment to complete our survey:
Registration and Language Details
English Session
🗓️ Date: Wednesday, 08 October 2025
🕒 Time: 12:00–13:30 South Africa Standard Time (SAST; GMT+2)
🎙️ Format: 90-minute live webinar
💻 Platform: Zoom (Register Here)
French Session
🗓️ Date (TBC): Thursday, 09 October
🕒 Time (TBC): 12:00–13:30
🎙️ Format: 90-minute live webinar
💻 Platform: Zoom (Register Here)
The equivalent times in different time zones in Africa can be converted using this link: World Clock Converter.
Session 1 Program
| Presentation | Presenter(s) |
|---|---|
| Welcome and The Journey of NIPs (1974-2025) | Benjamin Kagina, NISH-UCT |
| NVI Prioritization and Optimization – country framing, definitions, importance | Kamel Senouci, Development Catalysts |
| Q&A and discussion | Jason Mwenda, NISH-UCT |
| P&O- Examples, Process and role of NITAGs/EPI | Kamel Senouci, Development Catalysts |
| Q&A and discussion | Louise Henaff, WHO HQ |
| Closing remarks | Folake Olayinka, JSI |
Upcoming Sessions
Session 2
Introduction to NVI-PST Tool
Familiarize participants with the NVI-PST and how its objectives, methodology, and toolkit complement existing decision-support tools (EtR).
Session 3
NVI-PST Tool: Defining Criteria
Equip NITAGs to define and adapt prioritization criteria appropriate to their context, including collecting country preferences.
Session 4
NVI Prioritization: Application
Enable practical application of the tool through discussions on importance, feasibility, sequencing, and lessons learned from other countries.
Session 5
Deep Dive: Program Optimization
Strengthen the ability to assess when and how optimization should occur, including shared definitions and review of possible vaccine switches.