The World Health Organisation (WHO) has added the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine to its list of “prequalified vaccines.”
The global health body had in October, recommended the use of the vaccine for prevention of malaria in children following the advice of its Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunisation and the Malaria Policy Advisory Group.
The prequalification means larger access to vaccines as a key tool to preventing malaria in children. The prequalification isa prerequisite for vaccine procurement by UNICEF and funding support for deployment by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
