Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2015 Jan 1;33(1):52-61.
doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2013.11.066. Epub 2013 Dec 2.

Twenty-five years of the WHO vaccines prequalification programme (1987-2012): lessons learned and future perspectives

Nora Dellepiane  1 , David Wood  2
Affiliations
Review

Twenty-five years of the WHO vaccines prequalification programme (1987-2012): lessons learned and future perspectives

Nora Dellepiane et al. Vaccine. .

Abstract

The World Health Organization (WHO) vaccines prequalification programme was established in 1987. It is a service provided to United Nations procurement agencies to ensure that the vaccines supplied through these agencies are consistently safe and effective under conditions of use in national immunization programmes. This review describes the purpose and aims of the programme, its evolution during 25 years of existence, its added value, and its role in the context of the WHO strategy to ensure the global availability of vaccines of assured quality. The rationale for changes introduced during the implementation of the programme is provided. The paper also discusses the resources involved, both human and financial, its performance, strengths and weaknesses and steps taken to maximize its efficiency. This historical perspective is used to inform proposed future changes to the service.

Keywords: Global public health; International supply chains; National immunization programme; Vaccine prequalification programme; Vaccines of assured quality.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
NRA regulatory functions prioritized by vaccine source .
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. World Health Organization . 2003. Procurement of vaccine for public-sector programmes. WHO/IVB/03.16.
    1. The World Health Organization Constitution Official Records of the World Health Organization. 1946;2:100.
    1. World Health Organization Constitution . 45th ed. Supplement. October 2006. Amendment. Basic documents.http://www.who.int/governance/eb/who_constitution_en.pdf [accessed 20.03.13]
    1. 2013. Establishment of the WHO Expert Committee on Biological Standardization. http://www.who.int/biologicals/expert_committee/en/ [accessed 20.03.13]
    1. Anonymous The PAHO revolving fund. EPI Newsletter. 1979;I(May (1)):3.