Conectar
To document the first application of the WHO New Vaccine Introduction Prioritization and Sequencing Toolkit (NVI-PST) in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region and to describe how Iran’s National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) adapted and implemented the framework to develop a prioritised roadmap for vaccine introduction during 2025–2030.
Policy implementation case study applying a structured multicriteria decision analysis-informed prioritisation framework through a three-phase process including framework adaptation, evidence synthesis, ordinal ranking of candidate vaccines, weighted aggregation and development of sequencing scenarios.
National immunisation governance process in Iran, coordinated by the Ministry of Health and Medical Education and Iran’s NITAG, with technical support from the WHO Country Office.
Core and non-core members of Iran’s NITAG and key immunisation stakeholders involved in the deliberative prioritisation process.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine ranked highest in both importance and feasibility, followed by pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) for high-risk adults and seasonal influenza vaccine for high-risk groups. Two sequencing scenarios were proposed: both placed HPV first, with either PCV or influenza third after the already-approved hexavalent vaccine. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and varicella vaccines were classified as low priority for the 5-year horizon. The toolkit enabled structured multistakeholder deliberation, improved the transparency and reproducibility of prioritisation, and supported systematic integration of epidemiological, economic and programme evidence. The main implementation challenges arose from national evidence constraints, particularly gaps in adult RSV and pneumococcal disease burden, limited locally generated cost-effectiveness analyses and uncertainty in long-term budget impact estimation under macroeconomic instability, rather than from limitations of the toolkit itself.
The NVI-PST proved feasible under national leadership and generated credible, consensus-based recommendations aligned with Iran’s public health priorities and programme constraints. Minor refinements (streamlined evidence compendium, simpler weighting, stronger secretariat support) would make the toolkit lighter and more sustainable, especially for resource-constrained settings. This Iranian experience provides a replicable model for structured multi-vaccine prioritisation in the Eastern Mediterranean Region and beyond.
Postbiotics, non-viable microbial components or metabolites derived from probiotics, represent a promising new class of therapeutic agents in dermatological and wound-healing science. This review highlights the bioactive potential of postbiotics in modulating inflammation, enhancing tissue regeneration, and restoring microbiota balance in skin wounds. Through analysis of recent experimental and clinical studies, postbiotics were found to accelerate wound closure, stimulate collagen synthesis, and improve barrier integrity while providing antimicrobial and immunomodulatory benefits. Their incorporation into topical formulations and wound dressings has shown to regulate moisture, prevent infection, and support optimal healing conditions. In contrast to live probiotics, postbiotics are stable, safe, and free from viability-related limitations, making them ideal for cosmetic and medical use. Overall, postbiotics represent an innovative, next-generation strategy for skin regeneration and wound management.
Effective young adults’ sexual health education is crucial for promoting informed decision-making and healthy behaviours. National and international guidelines provide a framework for developing and implementing effective programmes. However, these guidelines may vary in their content, focus and recommendations. This scoping review protocol details a plan to map the literature on national and international young adults’ sexual health education guidelines. The review will focus on identifying key dimensions and characteristics of these interventions.
Guideline selection will be conducted using the Population, Intervention, Professionals, Outcomes and Healthcare setting/context framework. A comprehensive three-stage search of academic databases, grey literature and citation tracking will be conducted to identify all relevant literature. Data extraction will be performed by two independent researchers using a standardised, piloted data charting form to ensure accuracy and minimise bias. The form will capture key guideline characteristics. The process will be iterative, allowing refinement of variables for comprehensive data capture. Findings will be synthesised and presented using diagrams, tables and a narrative summary to provide a clear overview of the existing literature.
Adhering to all relevant guidelines and regulations, this study will proceed under the approval of the Ethics Committee of Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran. This scoping review will identify and examine the dimensions and characteristics of national and international guidelines for young adults’ sexual health education. By analysing the dimensions and characteristics of these guidelines, this review will identify commonalities, differences and gaps in the current landscape. The findings will have significant implications for policymakers, educators and researchers engaged in the development and implementation of young adults’ sexual health programmes. The results will be disseminated through publication in a relevant peer-reviewed journal to inform future research and practice in this field.
Ethical code: IR.SHMU.REC.1403.085. URL: https://ethics.research.ac.ir/EthicsProposalView.php?id=494573.
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