AMP's SIVAC Initiative Supports Mozambique to Set Up its National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG)

PARIS, January 19, 2011 - The inaugural meeting of Mozambique's Committee of Experts on
Immunization (Comité de Peritos para a Imunização, CoPI) was held in Maputo
on January 7, 2011.

The CoPI is the second National Immunization Technical
Advisory Group (NITAG) in a sub-Saharan African country eligible for funding
from the GAVI Alliance. The first was established in Côte d'Ivoire in January
2010. The Supporting Independent Immunization and Vaccine Advisory Committees
(SIVAC) Initiative played an instrumental role in the creation of both
committees. Implemented by the Agence de Médecine Préventive (AMP) in
partnership with the International Vaccine Institute (IVI), SIVAC works with
local, regional, and international stakeholders (e.g., World Health
Organization, WHO) to support low- and middle-income countries worldwide to
set up or strengthen NITAGs.

The role of the CoPI is to make recommendations to government
authorities on all decisions regarding immunization and vaccines such as
introduction of new vaccines, appropriate vaccine schedules, financing, and
research priorities and strategies.

"NITAGs have become a particularly important advisory resource
in light of the complexities and advancements in immunization, the higher
cost of new vaccines, and the introduction of new vaccine technologies," said
Dr. Alfred da Silva, executive director of AMP. "We anticipate that the CoPI
will enable the government of Mozambique to formulate contextually
appropriate immunization policies and programs, increasing vaccination
coverage and improving public health."

The Mozambican NITAG is composed of 15 independent, national
experts from various disciplines (e.g., epidemiology, public health,
pediatrics, microbiology, infectious diseases, health economics). The
Minister of Health appoints members for a four-year term, renewable once. Up
to 20 permanent observers, including representatives from WHO and the United
Nations Children's Fund, may attend meetings but cannot vote or participate
in closed sessions. Additional individuals may be invited to take part in
discussions as needed. These include scientists, experts from health-related
fields, representatives of civil society or religious denominations, and
personnel from the Ministry of Health.

Moving forward, SIVAC will continue to provide the CoPI with
logistical and technical support. Depending on the committees' specific
needs, this may include assistance to its Executive Secretariat in the
organization of meetings, the identification of priorities, the preparation
of scientific documents, and the drafting of recommendations.

About AMP

Founded in 1972, AMP is a nonprofit organization with headquarters at the
Institut Pasteur in Paris and offices in Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire,
Togo, and Vietnam. AMP is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of
those most in need across the globe. Along with our public- and
private-sector partners, we aim to:

    - Enhance scientific knowledge in support of evidence-based health
      policies

    - Strengthen immunization service delivery, logistics, and innovation

    - Develop human and institutional capacity for improved health system
      performance

Initially present in Africa and now working globally, AMP has forged
strong partnerships with countries where it operates, inter-state regional
institutions, international organizations, academic institutions, and the
private sector. Learn more: www.aamp.org

    Related Links

    SIVAC: www.sivacinitiative.org
    AMP: www.aamp.org
    IVI: www.ivi.org

    Contact

    Sabrina Gaber: amp@aamp.org
    Telephone: +33-1-53-86-89-20

Contact: Sabrina Gaber: sgaber at aamp.org , Telephone: +33-1-53-86-89-20