In accordance with its mandate to provide guidance to Member States on health policy matters, WHO publishes vaccine position papers providing global vaccine and immunization recommendations for diseases that have an international public health impact. The papers summarize essential background information on the respective diseases and vaccines, and conclude with the current WHO position concerning their use in the global context.

WHO vaccine position papers follow the recommendations of the WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on immunization. They undergo a formal review process both internally and externally before publication.

The position papers are published in the Weekly Epidemiological Record in English and French, and translated into the other WHO official languages: Arabic, Chinese, Russian, and Spanish. Each position paper is accompanied by a summary in both text and slide formats, a list of key references, and tables of grading of scientific evidence.

The need for updating vaccine position papers is reviewed periodically and depends primarily on the availability of new scientific evidence and public health priorities. A brief update concerning a specific recommendation in a paper is released when warranted.