Combination vaccines enable a greater number of vaccines to be administered to young children in a fewer number of injections and health visits. Reducing the number of injections administered during a single childhood visit can lessen stress for children. 

Central African Republic eliminates MN tetanus

The Central African Republic has achieved the elimination of maternal and neonatal tetanus following 3 nationwide tetanus vaccination campaigns.

Global initiative expands mpox vaccine access

A global mpox vaccine stockpile was launched on 27 August, creating a long-term mechanism to help countries access vaccines during outbreaks.

WHO prequalifies multi-dose RSV vaccine vial

This decision is aimed at protecting newborns and young infants from severe respiratory illness and pneumonia globally.

Chad’s routine immunization gains offer lessons 

Chad has reached a milestone in routine immunization: coverage for the 3rd dose of the pentavalent vaccine increased from 41% in 2016 to 71% in 2025.

Immunization estimates reveal gaps in Western Pacific

Governments must significantly accelerate action as the Western Pacific is currently not on track to meet global immunization targets for 2030. 

Celebrating WHO SEARO's immunization success

Immunization took centre stage at RC79, with South-East Asia achieving the highest routine immunization coverage of all six WHO regions.
 

• WHO position paper on COVID-19 vaccines - July 2026 - here
• 2026 Market Information for Access public vaccine purchase dataset - here
• WHO Position paper on typhoid vaccines, August 2026​ - here
• How nurse-led, community-rooted HPV vaccination models are strengthening the continuum of cervical cancer elimination - here 

• Leveraging the school setting to improve vaccination coverage - here

• Respiratory syncytial virus intervention cost calculator - here

• Innovative webinar-based training to support evidence-to-recommendation decision-making by national immunization technical advisory groups: multi-country experience with hexavalent vaccines - here

• WHO emergency guidance on the use of licensed Ebola vaccine during Bundibugyo virus disease outbreaks, 31 August 2026 - here
• Infection prevention and control considerations for routine immunization activities during the Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak: interim guidance, 21 August 2026 - here
• Operational cost analysis of integrated and standalone of measles-rubella and oral polio vaccine campaign delivery: multi-country case study - here

• Implementing the Big Catch-Up to close immunization gaps and adjust systems for restoring vaccination coverage: lessons from five countries - here

• #1MinuteFor1mmunization video series - here

• Countries Exchange Experiences on Institutionalizing Catch-up Vaccination in South-East Asia Region
  31 August - 3 September 2026 - New Delhi, Delhi and Ghaziabad, India

• Orientation Meeting on Global Action Plan for Polio Containment and Audit Documentation for National Authority of Containment
  11-13 August 2026 - Pune, India

• WHO Product Development for Vaccines Advisory Committee Meeting (PDVAC)
  7-9 July 2026 -  Geneva​, Switzerland​

Contribute to the next issue of the GIN

To contribute to the September update, please click on this link to submit an article by the 16th of October.  If you have any questions or feedback, please contact: globalimmunnews@who.int