GNN monthly update: June 23

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Dear all,

 

I hope you are all planning holidays (summer or winter ones!). Below are the latest recommendations from NITAGs sharing or publishing their recommendations. Feel free to reach out to me if you would like to add your NITAG work in the next updates.

 

COVID-19:

  • On June 9, 2023, the Public Health Agency of Canada released interim guidance from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) on the use of bivalent Omicroncontaining COVID-19 vaccines for the primary series. This guidance is based on current evidence, vaccine principles and NACI expert opinion. NACI now recommends that when mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are used for the primary series, bivalent Omicron-containing vaccines can be used in individuals 6 months of age and over. For more information on recommended vaccine products and dosages per age group, please see NACI Statement: Interim guidance on the use of bivalent Omicron-containing COVID-19 vaccines for primary series. Individuals who have not received previously recommended doses, including a primary series or fall 2022 booster dose, are recommended to receive them now. For more information, please refer to Guidance on COVID-19 vaccine booster doses: Initial considerations for 2023.
  • The French NITAG issued advice on the Bimervax vaccine. The NITAG considers it necessary to have additional data and more experience before considering the use of the Bimervax vaccine in the vaccine strategy against Covid-19. Also, in the current epidemiological context in France and being given the availability of vaccine alternatives, HAS does not currently recommend the use of Bimervax vaccine as a booster. Full recommendation available here.

 

Seasonal influenza:

  • Belgium NITAG published its advisory report determining which population groups should be given priority for vaccination. The report is available in French here.

 

Hexavalent vaccine:

  • El Salvador: The NITAG held an extra meeting to discuss the purchase of hexavalent vaccines for inclusion in the vaccination schedule. With the technical opinion of the NITAG and the references presented, the Minister approved the inclusion of the vaccine.

 

PCV :

  • In the Netherlands, the NITAG recommends offering PCV13 or PCV15 to children. These vaccines currently provide the most health benefits in children. Another new conjugate vaccine, PCV20, has not yet been approved for use in children. More information here.
  • The NITAG in the Netherlands also recommends offering a single pneumococcal vaccination with PCV20 to people aged 60 and over. This will yield more health benefits than repeated vaccination with PPV23. When new vaccines become available for children and the elderly, even greater health benefits may be achieved. The Council therefore recommends closely monitoring developments in this regard. More information here.

 

RSV:

  • JCVI (UK) publishes a proactive statement setting out the top line advice from JCVI for the RSV immunisation programme to protect newborns, infants and older adults, and provides the opportunity for key stakeholders to respond. A full statement will be issued later in the year. The short statement is available here.

 

ACIP (US NITAG):

  • ACIP met on June 21-23rd 2023. All meeting presentations are available here.

 

SAGE:

 

GNN:

  • The 5th Global NITAG Network meeting took place on June 14-16 2023 in Amman.
  • All presentations are available here.

 

Best wishes,

Louise

 

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