NITAG recommendations

Countries are encouraged to: 

Focus on routine immunization of the children under 5 years of age 

Conduct targeted community campaigns (district by district) 

Use retired nurses and the private sector to support the EPI Team 

Conduct targeted campaigns for catch-up of HPV vaccine 

The priority for COVID-19 vaccination is to achieve high vaccine coverage among the elderly and persons with comorbidities. Improve access by simplifying the vaccination process and increasing opportunities for vaccination including involving more doctors in the private sector. Respectful face to face education by trusted persons, such as nurses, doctors and informed grass roots leaders and pastors, is needed to address misinformation and misconceptions and convince many persons to accept vaccination.  

CITAG advises countries to first improve routine childhood vaccination coverage and adult COVID-19 vaccination of the elderly and persons with comorbid conditions before embarking on COVID-19 vaccination of children 5 – 11 years of age. 

Countries should target the small number of children with severe immune disorders identified by their pediatrician who can vaccinate them with pediatric COVID-19 vaccine. 

Countries with over 300,000 population should prioritize sensitization and training of HCWs involved in VPD surveillance in addition to auditing the existing surveillance system.