WHO position papers are authoritative documents issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) that provide recommendations and guidance on various aspects of public health, particularly in relation to vaccines and vaccine-preventable diseases. These papers are based on a thorough review and analysis of scientific evidence and are intended to inform national immunization programs, policymakers, healthcare professionals, and other stakeholders.
The main purpose of WHO position papers is to provide standardized and evidence-based recommendations on topics such as vaccine usage, immunization schedules, target populations, and vaccination strategies. These recommendations are designed to help countries make informed decisions about their immunization policies and practices.
WHO position papers typically cover a range of aspects related to vaccines, including vaccine safety and effectiveness, disease epidemiology, vaccine schedules, vaccine introduction and implementation strategies, and monitoring and surveillance of vaccine-preventable diseases. They are regularly updated to reflect new scientific evidence and developments in the field of immunization.
National governments, healthcare professionals, and organizations worldwide often refer to WHO position papers as a trusted source of information and guidance when making decisions regarding vaccine implementation and public health strategies.
WHO Vaccine Position Papers
https://www.who.int/teams/immunization-vaccines-and-biologicals/policies/position-papers
WHO vaccine position papers follow the recommendations of the WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on immunization. They undergo a formal review process both internally and externally before publication.
The Cochrane Library contains the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, the Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effect (DARE), the Central Register of Clinical Trials (CENTRAL), the Methodology Register, the Health Technology Assessment Database, and the NHS Economic Evaluation Database. The Database of Systematic Reviews consists of systematic reviews of primary research in health care and health policy.
Cochrane Library This link opens in a new window
The SYSVAC resources aim to support National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups (NITAGs) and the World Health Organization Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (WHO SAGE) in the development of evidence-based vaccination recommendations by simplifying the identification of relevant systematic reviews and access guidance on how to use existing reviews.
SYSVAC, part of the SENSE project, is a collaboration between the Robert Koch Institute and the World Health Organization, with its initial version being developed by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. The SENSE project is supported by the German Federal Ministry of Health through the Global Health Protection Program.