Mobilizing evidence to support a life Course approach within NITAGs

Background

As populations age, vaccination across the life course is increasingly important to preventing disease, supporting healthy ageing, and strengthening health systems. National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups (NITAGs) play a central role in shaping immunization policy, yet limited attention has been given to how these bodies prioritize vaccination for older and at-risk populations.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with current and former NITAG members, immunization experts, and civil society representatives across multiple World Health Organization regions. Interviews explored the extent to which a life course approach is reflected in NITAG deliberations, stakeholder engagement, resource allocation, and evidence use. Data were analyzed thematically to identify common challenges and opportunities and to inform a framework for action.

Results

Findings revealed persistent barriers to prioritizing adult immunization within NITAG processes. These included limited expertise in ageing and adult vaccination, insufficient resources and data to support decision-making, and strong dependence on government mandates. In many settings, transparency and mechanisms for civil society engagement were limited, restricting opportunities to integrate lived experience and population-level need. While several countries demonstrated progress through inclusion of ageing expertise and improved governance practices, prioritization of adult immunization remained inconsistent.

Conclusions

This study identified a number of challenges and opportunities to prioritizing a life course approach to vaccination. Amidst the complex global landscape and the many intersecting factors that influence vaccination uptake, there is a strong need to develop advocacy efforts that highlight both the opportunities and challenges in prioritizing a life-course approach within NITAGs, and that engage a range of stakeholders to help influence policy.

Key messages

• Understanding barriers within NITAG structures and decision-making processes is essential to advancing a life course approach.

• Persistent gaps in NITAG processes-limited expertise, weak data and resources, and low transparency and engagement-continue to hinder consistent prioritization of adult immunization.