IMFIN brief 26: Sri Lanka, sound decision-making processes for immunization

Sri Lanka’s national immunization technical advisory group (NITAG) is seen as a model of immunization decision-making. How does it work?

Key points

• Independent technical bodies can help strengthen vaccine decision-making. Sri Lanka’s Advisory Committee on Communicable Diseases (ACCD) is an example of a well-functioning and influential body of this type.
• The ACCD’s mandate includes not just immunization but all policy decisions related to the control of infectious disease, and its decisions are binding on the public sector.
• Committee members span a broad range of disciplines. In assessing the introduction of new vaccines into the national program, they consider disease burden, vaccine efficacy and safety, feasibility, cost, and cost-effectiveness. The ACCD does not recommend introduction unless funding is assured.
• Sri Lanka has completed the transition from Gavi support and must find domestic resources for all new vaccines; this makes the rigorous ACCD decision-making process even more valuable.