This comes after the WHO had in October 2023, recommended its use for the prevention of malaria in children following the advice of its Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunisation and the Malaria Policy Advisory Group.
The pre-qualification means larger access to vaccines as a key tool to prevent malaria in children with it being a prerequisite for vaccine procurement by UNICEF and funding support for deployment by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
The R21 vaccine is the second malaria vaccine prequalified by WHO, following the RTS, S/AS01 vaccine which obtained prequalification status in July 2022.
Both vaccines are shown to be safe and effective in clinical trials, for preventing malaria in children.
According to a statement posted on its website, the WHO said when implemented broadly, along with other recommended malaria control interventions, the vaccines are expected to have a high public health impact.
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