The Technical Advisory Group on Candidate Vaccines Prioritization (TAG-CVP) aims to establish an independent, systematic process for advising on the selection of candidate vaccines for further development and evaluation in phase IIb/III randomized clinical trials.

In this role, the TAG-CVP:

• reviews evidence on candidate vaccines, including safety, potential efficacy, implementation considerations, stability, availability and suitability for large-scale use;
• reviews and updates methodologies, tools and scientific and public health criteria used in vaccine prioritization; and
• recommends vaccine candidates for efficacy assessment to WHO.

The TAG-CVP supports WHO’s R&D Blueprint for Epidemics by evaluating vaccine candidates for diseases of epidemic and pandemic threat where prevention tools are inadequate or unavailable. The group applies pre-established criteria and attributes to guide case-by-case assessments and prioritization decisions.

Its work considers factors such as:

• vaccine safety and potential efficacy;
• product characteristics and stability;
• availability and manufacturing considerations;
• feasibility of deployment and implementation during outbreaks; and
• potential public health impact.

Composition

The Technical Advisory Group on Candidate Vaccines Prioritization (TAG-CVP) is composed of up to 14 experts appointed by WHO through an open call for experts. Members serve in their personal capacities and are selected to ensure a broad range of expertise relevant to vaccine development, evaluation and prioritization, while promoting geographical representation and gender balance.

Members are appointed for a two-year term and may be eligible for reappointment. The group brings together experts from disciplines including vaccinology, infectious diseases, clinical research, epidemiology, regulatory science and public health. All members are required to comply with WHO policies on confidentiality, impartiality and conflicts of interest.

Working methods

The TAG-CVP operates as an independent advisory body to WHO and may meet virtually or in person as required. Meetings may be conducted in open or closed sessions, depending on the nature of the discussions. The group reviews scientific evidence, deliberates on vaccine priorities and develops recommendations through consensus whenever possible. Working groups may be established to address specific technical issues.

All recommendations made by the TAG-CVP are advisory in nature. WHO retains full authority over decisions and actions arising from the group's advice.

Independence and conflicts of interest

Members serve in their personal capacities and must maintain independence, impartiality and scientific integrity. All members are required to declare interests and comply with WHO policies governing conflicts of interest and confidentiality. Participation is subject to review and management of any real, potential or perceived conflicts of interest.

Secretariat

WHO provides the scientific, technical and administrative secretariat support for the TAG-CVP, including the organization of meetings, preparation of documentation and coordination of the group's activities.

Terms of Reference

• WHO Technical Advisory Group on Technical Advisory Group on Candidate Vaccines Prioritization

Chair

Myron M. Levine, MD, DTPH, Associate Dean for Global Health, Vaccinology & Infectious Diseases, Center for Vaccine Development & Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA

Rapporteur

Elizabeth Miller, OBE, FMedSci, Professor, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom

Members

Rebecca E. Chandler, Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Sweden

Sudhanshu Vrati, Regional Center for Biotechnology, India

Junzhi Wang, National Institute for Food & Drug Control (NIFDC), China

Sue-Nie Park, Korea University, Republic of Korea

Sergio de Andrade Nishioka, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Brazil

Subhash Kapre, InventVax & Inventprise, United States of America

Daniel Cohen, School of Public Health, Tel Aviv University, Israel

Gavin Churchyard, Aurum Institute, South Africa

Desmond Maada Kangbai, Expanded Programme on Immunisation, Sierra Leone

Alfred B. Tiono, Groupe de Recherche Action en Santé (GRAS), Burkina Faso

Observers

César Muñoz-Fontela, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Germany

Simon Funnell, Linton McDowall Ltd, United Kingdom

Former Members

Silvia Sanchez-Ramón, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Spain

Collins Tabu, Expanded Programme on Immunization, Kenya

Teuila MacDonald, Ministry of Health, Samoa