Indicator selected for global monitoring for Immunization Agenda 2030 Strategic Priority Objective 1.1: Reinforce and sustain strong leadership, management and coordination of immunization programmes at all levels.

Data-driven decision-making is an indication of strong leadership and management.

Presence of a functional NITAG or other equivalent technical advisory group (TAG), as defined by meeting six process criteria:

1. TAG has a formal written terms of reference;
2. There is a legislative or administrative basis for the advisory group;
3. At least five areas of expertise are represented in the group as core membership: (i.e. pediatrics, public health, infectious diseases, epidemiology, immunology, …)
4. Members are required to disclose conflict of interest;
5. Committee meets at least once a year; and
6. Agenda and background documents are distributed to members at least one week ahead of meetings.

* Baseline year: 2020

National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) – A committee of recognized experts that provides technical advice and recommendations to the government regarding national immunization policies and programs. NITAG enable the government to make evidence-based immunization policies through a transparent, systematic process. NITAGs are not regulatory, implementation or coordinating groups (such as Inter-agency Coordinating Committees or National Regulatory Authorities) and their primary function should focus on offering technical recommendations. As such, Inter-agency Coordinating Committees are NOT to be considered as NITAGs.

Terms of References (TORs) – Documentation outlining the group’s purpose, serving also as a charter that outlines the group’s mode of functioning and code of practice for members.

Conflict of Interest (COI) – To ensure transparency and avoid conflicts of interests as much as possible, NITAGs should require all members to declare their interests prior to official appointment, before each meeting and whenever there is a change. A conflict of interest (COI) occurs in the case of the member having a personal investment, activity, or relationship which may affect, or appear to affect, their responsibilities of the NITAG. A COI, whether real or perceived, can compromise the quality of the recommendations made by the group and can compromise the reputation and integrity of the NITAG.

For each country, determine whether a functional NITAG or other equivalent technical advisory group (TAG) is present. If so, indicate the country meets Criteria 1.

Criteria 1 is met if a country reports meeting all six process criteria for a functional NITAG. (See definition)

JRF Questions used in indicator calculation for Criteria 1:

• Did the country have a standing technical advisory group on immunization (NITAG)? (Yes/No/ND/NR)
• Has the advisory group formal written Terms of References (TORs)? (Yes/No/ND/NR)
• Are there legislative or administrative basis for the advisory group? (Yes/No/ND/NR)
• Are there at least 5 areas of expertise represented in the NITAG as core membership?
• How many times did the advisory group meet in {Year}? (Number/ND/NR)
• Were the agenda and background documents distributed (at least 1 week) prior to the meetings in {Year}? (Yes/No/ND/NR)
• Are members of the advisory group required to disclose conflict of interest? (Yes/No/ND/NR)

Reported data is subject to numerous limitations. Country may not have submitted the data through the WHO/UNICEF Joint Reporting Form on Immunization (JRF) yet at the time of reporting. For newer indicators added to the JRF, it may take some time for the country to establish a system to be able to report the data.

Additionally, countries with small population sizes may not have subnational systems in place to be able to report on all JRF questions relevant for this indicator, and program delivery in high-income countries may not be organized by the subnational levels and often rely on the private sector