Department of Child and Adolescent Health, University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica.
Department of Community Health and Psychiatry, The University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston, Jamaica.
Vaccine. 2024 Apr 2;42(9):2310-2316. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.02.082. Epub 2024 Mar 3.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the Americas faced a significant decline in vaccination coverage as well as increased vaccine hesitancy. The objective of this paper is to summarize the challenges and opportunities outlined by the National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups (NITAGs) in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) and prioritize targeted interventions. The exploratory survey included open-ended questions on two primary components: challenges, and opportunities. Free-text comments presented by each NITAG were collated and classified using indicators and sub-indicators of the NITAG Maturity Assessment Tool (NMAT). Opportunities were classified thematically, and priority actions were generated from the responses. All 21 NITAGs in LAC, representing 40 countries, 76 % of which have been active for over a decade, responded to the survey. The most common challenges were establishment and composition (62 %), integration into policymaking (62 %), resources and secretariat (52 %), and stakeholder recognition (48 %). The distribution of responses was seen across the whole sample and did not suggest a more pronounced need in relation to year of establishment. Opportunities included maximizing the Regional NITAG Network of the Americas (RNA) to facilitate collaboration, information sharing, visibility, and communication; existing global, regional, and systemic analyses; the World Health Organization/Pan American Health Organization (WHO/PAHO) templates for standard operating procedures; twinning programs with mature NITAGs; and NITAGs in governance structures. Action plans were outlined to formalize the establishment of NITAGs and broaden their composition; strengthen decision-making and access to data resources; and enhance the credibility of evidence-based recommendations and their uptake by policymakers and the public. NITAG challenges are not unique to LAC. NITAGs have outlined a short-term prioritized action plan which is critical to enhancing NITAG value and importance in countries.
在 COVID-19 大流行之后，美洲的疫苗接种覆盖率大幅下降，同时疫苗犹豫情绪也有所增加。本文旨在总结拉丁美洲和加勒比地区（LAC）国家免疫技术咨询小组（NITAG）所概述的挑战和机遇，并确定有针对性的干预措施。这项探索性调查包括两个主要部分的开放性问题：挑战和机遇。每个 NITAG 提出的自由文本意见，使用 NITAG 成熟度评估工具（NMAT）的指标和子指标进行整理和分类。机遇进行了主题分类，并根据回应生成了优先行动。LAC 的 21 个 NITAG 代表了 40 个国家，其中 76%的 NITAG 已经活跃了十多年，对调查做出了回应。最常见的挑战是建立和组成（62%）、融入决策制定（62%）、资源和秘书处（52%）以及利益相关者的认可（48%）。回应的分布在整个样本中都有体现，这表明与成立年限相比，没有更明显的需求。机遇包括最大限度地利用美洲区域 NITAG 网络（RNA）来促进合作、信息共享、可见度和沟通；现有的全球、区域和系统分析；世界卫生组织/泛美卫生组织（WHO/PAHO）标准操作程序模板；与成熟的 NITAG 建立结对计划；以及 NITAG 在治理结构中的作用。行动计划概述了正式建立 NITAG 并扩大其组成、加强决策制定和获取数据资源、以及增强循证建议的可信度及其在决策者和公众中的采用。NITAG 面临的挑战并非 LAC 所独有。NITAG 已经概述了一个短期的优先行动计划，这对于提高 NITAG 在各国的价值和重要性至关重要。
