Immunisation Practices Advisory Committee (IPAC) ToR

Established since 2010, the Immunization Practices Advisory Committee (IPAC) is an independent committee of experts which provides external advice to WHO’s Department on Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals (IVB) on the review and formulation of policies, recommendations, standards and guidance to strengthen the delivery of vaccines at service delivery levels in line with realizing the goals of the Decade of Vaccine (2011-2020) and its Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP).

At the mid-point of the Action Plan, the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization expressed grave concerns in 2016 on the slow progress towards increasing equitable access to lifesaving vaccines and that countries are not on track to reach 2020 targets. In response, the critical functions of the IPAC were revisited in light of need to address immunization practices at the country level through strong immunization systems, as part of broader health systems, and the continuous innovation and quality improvement of all aspects of immunization services.