Regional Consultation on Vaccine and Immunization Research Preparedness for Vaccine Preventable Disease (VPD) Outbreaks and Pandemics, 14–16 April 2026, New Delhi, India

Overview

COVID-19 revealed that the Region’s challenge was not vaccine development speed, but the timely generation of context-specific evidence on effectiveness, safety, delivery, and community acceptance. Research was reactive, fragmented, and hampered by diverging regulatory requirements, incompatible protocols, and an infodemic that eroded public trust. Recurrent outbreaks of measles, Nipah, dengue, and diphtheria — including an active measles outbreak in Bangladesh at the time of this consultation — underscore that research preparedness is a permanent, not a pandemic-era, priority.

With this context, the WHO South-East Asia Regional Office (SEARO) and CEPI co-hosted a three-day Regional Consultation from 14 to 16 April 2026 in New Delhi, bringing together more than 90 participants (both face-to-face and virtual) from all Member States, the SEARITAG, vaccine manufacturers, academic institutions, regulatory authorities, and development partners. The consultation aimed to strengthen vaccine and immunization research readiness during outbreaks and pandemics in the WHO South-East Asia Region by developing a framework for a responsive, well-governed, and collaborative immunization research ecosystem.

For this Regional Consultation, WHO SEARO developed a draft framework for Vaccine and Immunization Research Preparedness, organized around six pillars — Basic Science Research; Clinical and Epidemiological Research; Health Research Governance; Vaccine Market and Manufacturing Research; Implementation Research; and Behavioural, Social, and Communication Research — supported by five common enablers: data sharing, digitalization and AI, funding mechanisms, collaborations, and knowledge sharing. The framework’s overarching goal is to establish a ready-to-activate, coordinated, and resilient research ecosystem enabling rapid, equitable, and effective responses to VPD outbreaks and pandemics, while simultaneously strengthening routine immunization systems.

The inaugural session highlighted the urgent need for a robust and ready immunization research ecosystem in the Region. Dr Catharina Boehme emphasized gaps in timely evidence generation during COVID-19 and the potential of the 100-Day Mission. Dr Kent Kester reaffirmed CEPI’s partnership with WHO SEARO under CEPI 3.0, keeping the 100-Day Mission as the strategic north star. Dr Rajiv Bahl showcased India’s readiness infrastructure — the One Health Mission, INTENT trial network, and BSL-4 laboratories — as potential regional assets. Prof. VK Paul, in his chief guest remarks, called on the Region to respond to the next pandemic “not scrambling, but with pre-established, well-tested, coordinated systems”. He also urged WHO to prioritize research and support in strengthening the research ecosystem in the Region.