Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE)
The Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) is charged with advising WHO on overall global policies and strategies, ranging from vaccines and technology, research and development, to delivery of immunization and its linkages with other health interventions.
Specific information on the role and expectations of SAGE members
Functions
SAGE is the principal advisory group to WHO for vaccines and immunization. It is charged with advising WHO on overall global policies and strategies, ranging from vaccines and technology, research and development, to delivery of immunization and
its linkages with other health interventions. SAGE is concerned not just with childhood vaccines and immunization, but all vaccine-preventable diseases.
SAGE advises the Director-General of WHO specifically on the:
• immunization-related strategies and policies;
• immunization programme response to current public health priorities;
• major general policies, goals and targets including those related to vaccine research and development;
• adequacy of WHO's strategic plan and priority activities consistent with its mandate and considering the comparative advantages and the respective roles of partner organizations;
• cross-departmental activities and initiatives related to vaccine and immunization technologies and strategies and linkages with other health interventions;
• engagement of WHO in partnerships that will enhance achievement of global immunization goals.
SAGE has no executive or regulatory function. Its role is solely to provide advice and recommendations to the Director-General of WHO, and includes providing advice and recommendations on urgent matters as needed.
Members of SAGE have a responsibility to provide WHO with high quality, well considered advice and recommendations on matters described in the SAGE terms of reference. Members play a critical role in ensuring the reputation of SAGE as an internationally recognized advisory group in the field of immunization. In keeping with SAGE’s mandate to provide strategic advice rather than technical input, members will be committed to the development and improvement of public health policies. Specific technical input may be solicited from independent experts and relevant scientific advisory groups.
Recommendations of SAGE, as accepted by the Director-General of WHO are published in the Weekly Epidemiological Record and widely disseminated.
The Secretariat of SAGE is provided by WHO. The Senior Health Adviser, Immunization Policy, IVB Directors Office serves as the Executive Secretary.
The Group's deliberations on the appropriate use of vaccines include consideration of population-based studies such as efficacy, cost-benefit, and risk-benefit analyses as well as the burden of disease, vaccine characteristics, immunization strategies, programme costs and benefits, programme feasibility, acceptability and equity, ability to evaluate the programme, and ethical and political considerations.
Decision making should: be evidence-based, involve the participation of those concerned, be transparent, minimize conflicts of interests, and be reliable with explicit criteria.
SAGE advises the Director-General of WHO specifically on the:
• immunization-related strategies and policies;
• immunization programme response to current public health priorities;
• major general policies, goals and targets including those related to vaccine research and development;
• adequacy of WHO's strategic plan and priority activities consistent with its mandate and considering the comparative advantages and the respective roles of partner organizations;
• cross-departmental activities and initiatives related to vaccine and immunization technologies and strategies and linkages with other health interventions;
• engagement of WHO in partnerships that will enhance achievement of global immunization goals.
SAGE has no executive or regulatory function. Its role is solely to provide advice and recommendations to the Director-General of WHO, and includes providing advice and recommendations on urgent matters as needed.
Members of SAGE have a responsibility to provide WHO with high quality, well considered advice and recommendations on matters described in the SAGE terms of reference. Members play a critical role in ensuring the reputation of SAGE as an internationally recognized advisory group in the field of immunization. In keeping with SAGE’s mandate to provide strategic advice rather than technical input, members will be committed to the development and improvement of public health policies. Specific technical input may be solicited from independent experts and relevant scientific advisory groups.
Recommendations of SAGE, as accepted by the Director-General of WHO are published in the Weekly Epidemiological Record and widely disseminated.
The Secretariat of SAGE is provided by WHO. The Senior Health Adviser, Immunization Policy, IVB Directors Office serves as the Executive Secretary.
The Group's deliberations on the appropriate use of vaccines include consideration of population-based studies such as efficacy, cost-benefit, and risk-benefit analyses as well as the burden of disease, vaccine characteristics, immunization strategies, programme costs and benefits, programme feasibility, acceptability and equity, ability to evaluate the programme, and ethical and political considerations.
Decision making should: be evidence-based, involve the participation of those concerned, be transparent, minimize conflicts of interests, and be reliable with explicit criteria.
Qualities required for SAGE members
SAGE members represent a broad range of professional affiliations (i.e. academia, the medical profession, research institutes, and governmental bodies including national immunization programmes, public health departments and regulatory authorities) and major thematic areas (e.g. influenza control, diarrhoeal diseases, respiratory diseases, research, biologics, safety, accelerating innovation, ensuring quality and safety, and maximizing access to and links with other health interventions).
Below are the criteria that will be applied when assessing candidates. To be considered, candidates must be able to demonstrate have the qualities, skills and experience to meet all the criteria.
All candidates must have:
• an understanding of the vaccination and immunization strategies and policies covered by SAGE;
• an understanding of global immunization issues;
• an outstanding record of achievement and personal credibility within own field, appropriate to the remit of the Group;
• experience of work and issues in international settings and developing countries;
• experience of operating at a strategic level in the public or other sectors;
• experience of working effectively in high level advisory committees;
• excellent interpersonal and communication skills to support effective discussion with a range of stakeholders;
• ability to evaluate complex issues and weigh up conflicting opinions;
• ability to influence at a senior level;
• good command of English;
• a broad range of expertise and interest.
Below are the criteria that will be applied when assessing candidates. To be considered, candidates must be able to demonstrate have the qualities, skills and experience to meet all the criteria.
All candidates must have:
• an understanding of the vaccination and immunization strategies and policies covered by SAGE;
• an understanding of global immunization issues;
• an outstanding record of achievement and personal credibility within own field, appropriate to the remit of the Group;
• experience of work and issues in international settings and developing countries;
• experience of operating at a strategic level in the public or other sectors;
• experience of working effectively in high level advisory committees;
• excellent interpersonal and communication skills to support effective discussion with a range of stakeholders;
• ability to evaluate complex issues and weigh up conflicting opinions;
• ability to influence at a senior level;
• good command of English;
• a broad range of expertise and interest.
Duties and role of SAGE members
The Chair and members of the Committee will play a critical role in ensuring the Committee’s continued standing as an internationally recognized leading body in the field of immunization and that it continues to observe the highest standards of impartiality, integrity and objectivity in its deliberations and that its recommendations are driven by available scientific evidence.
All members of SAGE will:
• be committed to the continued development and improvement of this important area of public health;
• bring relevant experience to the Group;
• contribute to the provision of high quality and considered advice to WHO;
• be expected to make a full and considered contribution to the work of the Group and to contribute fully to the debate and to the
• decision-making processes ;
• provide expert guidance when an issue which falls within your particular area of expertise is under discussion;
• contribute to the debate in the capacity of a well-informed health professional where the issue does not fall within your expertise;
• take into account the need for and impact of vaccines, the quality of vaccines and their safety and the strategies to ensure that the
• greatest benefit can be obtained from the most appropriate use of vaccines;
• recommend the best public health advice to WHO;
• be prepared, as requested by the Secretariat, to occasionally provide expert advice on relevant issues outside of committee meetings;
• be prepared to respond quickly to interaction by e-mail;
• be prepared, as requested by the Secretariat, to occasionally attend and contribute to the work of one or more of the SAGE working groups which report to the main Group and to attend meeting of regional technical advisory groups and or immunization managers and other meetings for which representation of SAGE would be needed;
• be committed to declare all relevant interests. Any reported interest that could be perceived as a potential conflict of interest will be disclosed on the SAGE web site.
All members serve in their personal capacity and should refrain from promoting the policies, views and products of the organization/institution for which they work. Likewise, it should be clear that SAGE recommendations do not commit the organization/institution with which members may be affiliated.
All members of SAGE will:
• be committed to the continued development and improvement of this important area of public health;
• bring relevant experience to the Group;
• contribute to the provision of high quality and considered advice to WHO;
• be expected to make a full and considered contribution to the work of the Group and to contribute fully to the debate and to the
• decision-making processes ;
• provide expert guidance when an issue which falls within your particular area of expertise is under discussion;
• contribute to the debate in the capacity of a well-informed health professional where the issue does not fall within your expertise;
• take into account the need for and impact of vaccines, the quality of vaccines and their safety and the strategies to ensure that the
• greatest benefit can be obtained from the most appropriate use of vaccines;
• recommend the best public health advice to WHO;
• be prepared, as requested by the Secretariat, to occasionally provide expert advice on relevant issues outside of committee meetings;
• be prepared to respond quickly to interaction by e-mail;
• be prepared, as requested by the Secretariat, to occasionally attend and contribute to the work of one or more of the SAGE working groups which report to the main Group and to attend meeting of regional technical advisory groups and or immunization managers and other meetings for which representation of SAGE would be needed;
• be committed to declare all relevant interests. Any reported interest that could be perceived as a potential conflict of interest will be disclosed on the SAGE web site.
All members serve in their personal capacity and should refrain from promoting the policies, views and products of the organization/institution for which they work. Likewise, it should be clear that SAGE recommendations do not commit the organization/institution with which members may be affiliated.
Compensation
Appointments are not remunerated. However, members are compensated for expenses related with attendance to meetings. Such compensation, which includes the issuance of airline tickets, per diem to cover lodging, food and incidental expenses will be in accordance with the WHO travel rules. In addition, WHO bears the cost of any participation in either a teleconference or a videoconference.
Time commitment
SAGE meets biannually for a meeting of three days duration (normally, from a Tuesday through Thursday), and held in Geneva. The meetings take place usually during the months of April and October. Preparation time for the meetings will be required, which may involve weekends.
In addition, members will participate in SAGE working groups. Working groups meet approximately twice per year and communicate regularly via email and telephone conferences.
Overall, including meeting and travel time, participation in teleconferences, e-mail interaction, and participation in working groups one can expect at least a full two-weeks commitment spread over the year
In addition, members will participate in SAGE working groups. Working groups meet approximately twice per year and communicate regularly via email and telephone conferences.
Overall, including meeting and travel time, participation in teleconferences, e-mail interaction, and participation in working groups one can expect at least a full two-weeks commitment spread over the year
Training
An information package for new members will be provided to enable members to fully understand the work and functioning of the Group as well as that of other WHO Advisory Committees. The Secretariat will further arrange briefing and meetings with regional and HQ staff and any other training in order to facilitate the full engagement of new members in the work of the SAGE.
Conflict of Interests
You should note particularly the requirement to declare any potential conflict of interests that arises in the course of SAGE tenure and the need to declare any relevant business interests, positions of authority or other connections with organisations relevant to the work of SAGE.
Any actual or perceived conflict of interests will be fully explored by the Secretariat.
Members with specific declared interests will be asked to excuse themselves from participating in the discussion and/or decision-making of the issues relating to that interest. A member who is in any doubt as to whether they have an interest which should be declared, or whether they should take part in the proceedings, should ask the Secretariat for guidance.
Any actual or perceived conflict of interests will be fully explored by the Secretariat.
Members with specific declared interests will be asked to excuse themselves from participating in the discussion and/or decision-making of the issues relating to that interest. A member who is in any doubt as to whether they have an interest which should be declared, or whether they should take part in the proceedings, should ask the Secretariat for guidance.
Selection panel, appointments and tenure
Nominations will carefully reviewed by the SAGE membership selection panel, which will propose the selection of nominees to the WHO Director-General for appointment. Consideration will be given to ensuring appropriate geographic representation
and gender balance.
• Members will be appointed for an initial period of three years.
• Appointments can be renewable at the end of the first period of office subject to satisfactory appraisal. A degree of change is often sought and may be influenced by the need to keep an appropriate gender, expertise and geographical balance on SAGE and there should, therefore, be no expectation of automatic reappointment.
• The Chair shall be appointed for the remaining duration of current term subject to potential reappointment for a three-year term in accordance with other rules of membership. The Chair shall be chosen from among persons who have had at least one year of experience serving on SAGE and have demonstrated the ability both to lead the work of similar bodies and to work effectively with WHO.
• A Vice-Chair will be selected from the existing membership, who have had at least one year of experience serving on SAGE, to act as Chair only when he/she is not available as an alternate acting Chair.
• Members will be appointed for an initial period of three years.
• Appointments can be renewable at the end of the first period of office subject to satisfactory appraisal. A degree of change is often sought and may be influenced by the need to keep an appropriate gender, expertise and geographical balance on SAGE and there should, therefore, be no expectation of automatic reappointment.
• The Chair shall be appointed for the remaining duration of current term subject to potential reappointment for a three-year term in accordance with other rules of membership. The Chair shall be chosen from among persons who have had at least one year of experience serving on SAGE and have demonstrated the ability both to lead the work of similar bodies and to work effectively with WHO.
• A Vice-Chair will be selected from the existing membership, who have had at least one year of experience serving on SAGE, to act as Chair only when he/she is not available as an alternate acting Chair.