Nationwide Immunization Technical Advisory Teams (NITAGs) play a crucial function in translating international immunization steerage into country-specific insurance policies. Comprising of unbiased nationwide consultants, these our bodies supply evidence-based suggestions tailor-made to native wants and contexts, enhancing belief in vaccines, defending lives and strengthening public well being outcomes. The Mauritius Nationwide Immunization Technical Advisory Group (MAUNITAG), established in 2018, has performed a pivotal function in guiding the nationwide vaccine coverage.
WHO and the NITAG Assist Hub (NISH) carry out the primary exterior evaluation of the MAUNITAG in February 2025, wanting on the performance and maturity stage of the MAUNITAG. This was adopted by a three-day capability constructing of recent members on the MAUNITAG functioning based mostly on current commonplace working procedures.
MAUNITAG’s evaluation utilized the up to date NITAG Maturity Evaluation Instrument (NMAT), which evaluates seven key indicators, together with independence, operations, and coverage integration.
The evaluation highlighted a number of strengths of the MAUNITAG, together with its various experience, proactive engagement on rising well being points, and robust collaboration with the Ministry of Well being and Wellness and WHO. Nonetheless, the analysis additionally revealed key challenges reminiscent of restricted institutional reminiscence to enable sufficient onboarding of recent members and inadequate capability for evidence-based advice processes to call just a few.
In her opening remarks of the capability constructing workshop for onboarding new MAUNITAG members, Dr. Anne Ancia, WHO Consultant in Mauritius, emphasised the significance of the analysis: “This evaluation will information Mauritius to progress in the direction of the Immunization Agenda 2030 targets and the maturity stage will inform the event of a reinforcement plan.”
Talking on the workshop’s opening, Dr. Fazil Khodaboccus, Appearing Director of Well being Providers and former MAUNITAG Chair, highlighted “a core operate of any NITAG is to advise nationwide authorities on the surveillance of vaccine-preventable illnesses and the monitoring of the influence of immunization providers, in addition to on the monitoring of immunization and vaccine security.” In the identical vein, he praised the group’s efforts since 2018: “The MAUNITAG has been instrumental in offering sound, evidence-based recommendation on vaccine introductions and schedule updates. I’m assured that, with the fitting help, MAUNITAG can progress to a extra superior stage inside 18 months.”
Members of the MAUNITAG gained information and expertise on the method of getting ready for Proof to Advice; formulation of broad coverage questions and improvement of Inhabitants-Intervention-Comparability-Outcomes (PICO). Additionally they discovered to outline standards for prioritization; the best way to gather vaccine security and efficacy proof and summarization of proof for decision-making.
Suggestions from the evaluation embody establishing a devoted secretariat and sustainable funding, increasing membership to incorporate extra personal sector and educational consultants, and enhancing digital documentation.
Inside the spirit of nurturing South-South Cooperation, WHO, as a key stakeholder within the NISH venture contributing to an Africa freed from vaccine-preventable illnesses, has secured the participation of six members of MAUNITAG within the 4th Vaccinology Course for NITAGs in Could 2025. This can additional strengthen the capability of MAUNITAG to make evidence-informed selections relating to vaccines and immunization practices.