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 5: Deep Dive: Vaccine Program Optimization
Purpose / Key Topics:
Purpose: Strengthen ability to assess when and how optimization should occur.
- Aligned vaccinology topic
- Summarize shared definitions of optimization from EPI/NITAG perspective
- Review types of switches that might be considered as optimization
- Define criteria that will trigger switch discussions
Recording and Slide Deck
Session Recording (English)
Session Recording (French)
Downloadable Resources
Slide Deck 1 (PDF): Download Presentation Slides 1 (English)
Slide Deck 2 (PDF): Download Presentation Slides 2 (English)
Slide Deck 1 (PDF): Télécharger les diapositives de présentation (French)
Slide Deck 2 (PDF): Télécharger les diapositives de présentation (French)
Registration and Language Details
English Session
🗓️ Date: 21 January 2025
🕒 Time: 12:00–13:30 South Africa Standard Time (SAST; GMT+2)
🎙️ Format: 90-minute live webinar
💻 Platform: Register Here
French Session
🗓️ Date: 22 January 2025
🕒 Time :12:00–13:30 South Africa Standard Time (SAST; GMT+2)
🎙️ Format: 90-minute live webinar
💻 Platform: Register Here
The equivalent times in different time zones in Africa can be converted using this link: World Clock Converter.
Session 5 Program
| Time | Presentation | Presenter(s) |
|---|---|---|
5 min | Welcome | NISH – Ramonde Patientia |
15 min | 1. Optimization: Recap/ Definitions from EPI/NITAG perspective | WHO HQ- Johanna Fihmann |
15 min | Case Study of South African switch PCV13 to PCV10 | NISH- Anthony Hawkridge |
10 min | Country perspective VPOP process, timelines, experience | Tanzania EPI and secretariat- Kyesi Furaha |
20 min | 2. Optimization / Country case study on vaccine optimization using | WHO HQ- Johanna Fihmann |
20 min | Q&A and Discussion | ex-SA NITAG/VACFA - Gregory Hussey |
Closing | JSI – Lora Shimp |
Other Sessions in this Series
Session 1
Overview of NVI Prioritization
Build a shared understanding of prioritization and optimization concepts and clarify the NITAG’s role.
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 that are context-appropriate.
Session 4
NVI Prioritization: Application
Enable practical application of the tool and facilitate country learning exchange.