WHO South-East Asia Region Prioritizes Immunization Research for a Decade of Impact

The World Health Organization (WHO) South-East Asia Regional Office (SEARO) has outlined a strategic framework for immunization research, aiming to enhance coordination, strengthen implementation-focused research, and align evidence generation with immunization program needs across the region. This initiative builds upon decades of success in controlling vaccine-preventable diseases, including the eradication of smallpox and the elimination of polio and maternal & neonatal tetanus .

A Five-Decade Journey of Saving Lives

The WHO South-East Asia Region has demonstrated a strong commitment to immunization over the past five decades, resulting in significant public health gains. Recent achievements include maintaining a polio-free status since 2014 and eliminating maternal and neonatal tetanus since 2016 . Measles elimination has been achieved and maintained in five countries, with two of those also achieving rubella elimination. Four countries have also been verified as having achieved hepatitis B control through immunization .

Developing a Unified Research Framework

In collaboration with WHO Headquarters and the Prasanna School of Public Health at the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), and with support from the Wellcome Trust, WHO SEARO developed a draft report on the Immunization and Vaccine Research Taxonomy. A virtual global consultation with leading immunization experts was convened to validate key findings and gather perspectives on the framework. The process involved a rapid scoping review, stakeholder mapping, key informant interviews, and multiple rounds of expert feedback.

Key Domains of Immunization Research

Experts broadly supported the Vaccine and Immunization Research Cycle and its four overarching domains:

• Vaccine Development: Research focused on creating new and improved vaccines.
• Vaccine Delivery: Studies on the most effective ways to administer vaccines.
• Dissemination: Research on how to effectively spread information about vaccines.
• Implementation and Evaluation: Assessing the impact of immunization programs and identifying areas for improvement.

The framework maps seventeen research avenues across the lifecycle of immunization research, encompassing clinical development, regulatory science, surveillance systems, behavioral drivers, affordability, access, and uptake.

The Importance of Implementation Research

A key focus of the consultation was the positioning of implementation research. Initially considered a separate component, it was integrated across all domains in recognition of its cross-cutting nature. Experts emphasized that implementation research is integral to every stage, from clinical trials to policy adaptation, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

Addressing Emerging Priorities

Recommendations were made to enhance the framework’s responsiveness to emerging priorities, including:

• Pandemic preparedness and outbreak response, including a One Health approach.
• Regulatory agility and emergency deployment strategies.
• Surge manufacturing capabilities.
• Life-course immunization and maternal immunization.
• Equity and focus on vulnerable populations.
• Integration with primary health care.
• Elimination strategies.
• Linkages with antimicrobial resistance efforts.

Operationalizing the Taxonomy

Participants underscored the potential of the taxonomy to guide donor investments, inform national research priority-setting, align funding calls with programmatic needs, and support gap mapping. The development of an interactive digital tool or dashboard to operationalize the taxonomy—allowing tagging of projects, visualization of investment patterns, and identification of underfunded domains—was positively received.

Looking Ahead

The Immunization Research Taxonomy is a strategic instrument to enhance coordination, strengthen implementation-focused research, and align evidence generation with immunization programme needs. The report will be revised to incorporate the feedback received and strengthen alignment with evolving global immunization priorities . A webinar on the prioritization of immunization and vaccine research areas for the WHO South-East Asia Region was held on June 3, 2025, to present the 25 prioritized research areas .