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The Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) is the principal WHO advisory group for vaccines and immunization. The group provides advice on overall global vaccination policies and strategies, ranging from vaccine research and development, to delivery of vaccination, and its linkages with other health interventions. The last SAGE meeting was held on 18-20 October 2016 in Geneva, Switzerland. SAGE reviewed the progress made toward the achievement of the Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP) goals and challenges. SAGE expressed concerns on progress toward the goals to eradicate polio, eliminate measles and rubella, eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus, and increase equitable access to lifesaving vaccines. SAGE also discussed the challenges on major specific subjects - hepatitis B vaccine, human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, and elimination of yellow fever epidemic, and made several important recommendations on each subject. To accelerate achieving of GVAP goals, SAGE emphasized that countries should take a stronger leadership and governance roles in national immunization systems. Participation in the SAGE meeting enabled understanding of the global and regional issues on immunization including GVAP. It would be important for the Republic of Korea to bring various immunization issues related to low, middle, and high income countries to the agenda of future SAGE meetings.
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