MEDIA ADVISORY: Virtual press conference on the outcomes of the meeting of the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) - Tuesday, 17 March at 13.30 CET/12.30 GMT (embargoed)

No images? Click here Friday, 13 March 2026 Embargoed until 15.00 CET/14.00 GMT on 18 March 2026  MEDIA ADVISORY  Virtual press conference on the outcomes of the meeting of the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE)  When: Tuesday, 17 March at 13.30 CET/12.30 GMT Subject: Outcomes and recommendations from the regular meeting of the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) SAGE held its regular biannual meeting from 9 to 12 March 2026 to discuss, among other topics, the current epidemiology of COVID-19 and the COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for different population groups, typhoid conjugate vaccine (TCV) dosing schedules, and the number of bivalent oral polio vaccine (bOPV) doses in routine immunization.  Future of immunization was also on the agenda, with the experts discussing how to strengthen global immunization planning for the rest of the decade and help shape a long‑term vision for the future of vaccines and vaccination from 2026 to 2050.  SAGE took up the issue of vaccine prioritization and portfolio optimisation, and how WHO can support countries as they make hard decisions about their immunization programmes amid tightening health budgets. Outcomes of those discussions, and SAGE recommendations on strategies and the use of a range of vaccines to prevent infectious diseases, will be discussed at the press conference.  More information: meeting agenda and the SAGE Yellow Book for the March meeting. Speakers: Prof Anthony Scott, Chair of the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) Dr Kate O’Brien, Director, Department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals, WHO Prof Annelies Wilder-Smith, SAGE Executive Secretary Join by Zoom: Link: https://who.zoom.us/j/97431219029 Password: WHOsage1! Join by phone: International numbers available: https://who.zoom.us/u/au8FIRTx8 Webinar ID: 974 3121 9029 Passcode for phone access: 511664321 Join by SIP: 97431219029@zoomcrc.com Notes to journalists: Please enter your name and media outlet (use name/outlet) in your Zoom profile and ensure your microphone is connected and active on your computer.  When you sign in, you will be automatically put in the meeting room. Click "raise hand" if you wish to ask a question (the icon can be found under the tab: participants); this will enter you into the queue for questions.  Please note that only questions from the media are allowed during the press conference. Media contacts: mediainquiries@who.int   You are receiving this NO-REPLY email because you are included on a WHO mail list. If you have been forwarded this update you can click here to subscribe. Journalists may send feedback to WHO Media Team       Share    Tweet    Share    Forward  World Health Organization, Avenue Appia 20, 1202 Geneva 27, Switzerland  Preferences  |  Unsubscribe