Technologies and Logistics Advisory Committee (TLAC)

Members

TLAC members

The members of the TLAC have been endorsed by the Director, Department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals. The confirmed TLAC Members are:

• Dr Oleg Benes, Head: Centre of Special Danger Diseases, Ministry of Health, Chisinau, Moldova
• Prof. Jonathan Colton, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, USA
• Mr Robert Davis, Measles delegate: American Red Cross, Nairobi, Kenya
• Dr Shelley Deeks, Dep. Director: Surveillance, National Center for Surveillance and Immunization Research, Sydney, Australia
• Dr Greg Hammond, Retired: Director: Public Health Branch, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada & clinical specialist in infectious diseases
• Dr Morgens Munck, Consultant: Mechanical engineering, cold chain and vaccine logistics; based in Spain
• Ms Dianne Phillips, Retired: Deputy Director: Procurement and Distribution of Pharmaceuticals, Dept. of Health, Pretoria, South Africa
• Mr Søren Spanner, Consultant: Procurement and distribution, waste management, based in Denmark
• Dr Robert Steinglass, Technical Director: ImmunizationBASICS, John Snow Inc, Arlington, USA
• Dr Piyanit Tharmaphornpilas, National EPI Manager, Ministry of Public Health, Bangkok, Thailand
• Dr Bruce Weniger, Chief: Vaccine technology, Immunization safety office, CDC, Atlanta, USA
• Vacant, Regulatory specialist

The chair of this advisory group will be selected by the Director, Department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals for endorsement by the committee.

Terms of Reference

Background

The successful implementation of the Global Immunization Vision and Strategies (GIVS) will help to achieve the Millennium Development Goals in reducing child mortality, improving maternal health and combating disease. The achievement of GIVS goals and targets will require WHO to develop policy guidance that supports countries to overcome barriers in access and service delivery.

In order to increase access and introduce new vaccines, the national immunization programmes need optimal technologies and vaccine delivery mechanisms as well as evidence-based operational management strategies. The Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) and other advisory bodies primarily focus on immunization policy and disease control strategies. As suggested by the External Review of advisory committees within the department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals, an advisory group that focuses on technology and operations is needed to facilitate field implementation of SAGE recommendations.

Functions

TLAC advises the IVB Director and makes specific recommendations regarding:

• Operational strategies and policy recommendations related to logistic and cold chain systems that need to be intensified to facilitate reaching additional children with high-quality vaccination and achieve the goals of the Global Immunization Vision and Strategy (GIVS);
• Technological innovations to be developed, assessed or accelerated to strengthen routine immunization programmes and prepare pathways for new vaccine introduction;
• Rate-limiting steps such as evidence gaps or capacity constraints that need to be overcome to strengthen overall field logistic systems and safely accelerate vaccine introduction and delivery.

Specifically, the potential topics of review include technological and operational aspects of WHO's work that would optimize the outputs of applied GIVS strategies. Operational and logistical aspects to be submitted for review and recommendations by the TLAC include:

• Technological/systems innovations and research
• Programme operations and management
• Coordinating evidence to support policy
• Regulatory aspects

Roles and Responsibilities of Members:

Members of TLAC have a responsibility to provide WHO with rigorous, well- considered advice and recommendations on matters that are reviewed. Members play a critical role in ensuring the reputation of TLAC as an internationally recognized advisory group in the field of immunization operations, logistics and technologies. It shall provide strategic advice and technical input to the IVB Director in EPI policy development and propose ways forward to increase impact of field strategies as enunciated in the GIVS.

TLAC members will review output from TechNet meetings and identify issues for further elaboration and development, including the need to create or gather further evidence to institute sound EPI operational policies. The recommendations of TLAC will be reported back through the TechNet communication channels. Additionally, TLAC recommendations will be regularly presented at SAGE meetings for update and where relevant, for endorsement.