Imagine a world where preventable diseases no longer threaten our children. That's the ambitious goal driving immunization efforts across Southeast Asia. But are we on track? The Sixteenth Meeting of the WHO South-East Asia Regional Immunization Technical Advisory Group (SEAR-ITAG) recently convened to tackle this critical question, and the stakes are incredibly high.
Let's break down why this meeting matters. SEAR-ITAG acts as the World Health Organization's (WHO) independent advisory body for immunization strategies in the South-East Asia Region. Think of it as a group of seasoned experts, hand-picked by the WHO Regional Director, who analyze the evidence and provide recommendations on everything from which vaccines to prioritize to how to best deliver them to communities. Their work ensures the region's immunization efforts are aligned with global initiatives like the Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA2030) – a global plan to leave no one behind and the Regional Vaccine Implementation Plan (RVIP) 2022–2026. This plan is a detailed roadmap for boosting immunization coverage and battling vaccine-preventable diseases across the region.
SEAR-ITAG isn't just one person; it's a diverse team with expertise spanning program management, disease control, virology, epidemiology, immunization practices, and even behavioral science – understanding what motivates people to get vaccinated. They meet annually, and more often if needed, to assess progress, pinpoint emerging problems (like outbreaks or declining vaccination rates), and propose strategic solutions to strengthen immunization programs and manage vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs). They also offer timely technical advice to support the region's ongoing immunization work, ensuring it is appropriate and effective.
The sixteenth meeting, a hybrid event held in New Delhi, India, from September 16th to 18th, 2025, was a pivotal moment. It wasn't just a routine check-in; it was a chance to accelerate progress under the RVIP 2022–2026, which is nearing completion. More importantly, it was the starting point for planning the next phase of immunization efforts after 2026. The goal is to build on the successes and address the remaining challenges to ensure long-term protection for all.
This year's meeting saw impressive participation, with 175 attendees, including 64 in-person and 111 virtual participants. The mix included SEAR-ITAG members themselves, representatives from National Technical Advisory Groups (NITAGs) – these are similar advisory groups at the national level – and leaders from National Immunization Programmes (NIPs) from all ten member states in the region. To ensure coordinated action, top officials from the WHO headquarters, regional, and country offices, and delegates from crucial partner agencies like UNICEF, Gavi, CEPI, and the World Bank were also present. And, for added perspective, observers from vaccine manufacturers and other key players in the field were there, too.
This meeting didn’t happen in a vacuum. It built upon the findings and recommendations from other important regional forums, including those focused on polio eradication (SEA-RCCPE) and measles and rubella elimination (SEA-RVC), the Annual Regional Working Group (RWG) meeting, and a special SEAR-ITAG session held earlier in the year. All of these feed into the bigger picture.
With the RVIP 2022–2026 nearing its end, the meeting had specific objectives: to carefully review national and regional progress toward the RVIP goals; to confront challenges that continue to hold us back, such as reaching 'zero-dose' children (kids who haven't received even the first dose of essential vaccines), addressing disparities in vaccination rates across different areas within countries (subnational disparities), and fixing gaps in disease surveillance; to begin expert consultations on the next RVIP (beyond 2026) – what should the priorities be for the coming years?; and to strengthen how countries in the region work together and hold each other accountable for achieving immunization goals.
The discussions also acknowledged the changing landscape of immunization. Resources are often limited, donor priorities can shift, and health systems need to be more resilient to handle crises. Despite these obstacles, SEAR-ITAG reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining immunization achievements, focusing on strategies that promote equity (ensuring everyone has access, regardless of where they live or their socioeconomic status), and fostering innovation in how services are delivered, how data is managed, and how communities are engaged. And this is the part most people miss: community engagement is about more than just telling people to get vaccinated; it's about listening to their concerns, addressing their fears, and building trust.
As a trusted advisor, SEAR-ITAG continues to guide the WHO and its member states in tackling challenging immunization issues. Their ultimate goal? To ensure that no one is left behind in the quest for universal vaccine access and the elimination of preventable diseases. But here's where it gets controversial... how do we balance individual rights with the collective good when it comes to immunization policies? Should certain vaccines be mandatory? What role should governments play in addressing vaccine hesitancy? These are difficult questions with no easy answers, and they deserve open and honest discussion. What are your thoughts? Do you agree with the current regional strategies, or do you think a different approach is needed?
