What is a WHO prequalified vaccine and why should it matter to you as a parent

Vaccines and immunization are significant causes of concern for parents. It is a topic with many opinions. For me, it’s always about the best possible choice for my child. I want her to be safe from diseases where prevention is better than cure.

Going through well-researched, reliable, and scientific data and recommendations from the highest regulatory bodies lets me choose confidently as a parent. I do what I have to do. I talk to my Paediatrician hubby, discuss with some more Paediatrician friends, read books and current protocols by WHO, IAP, and AAP, and vaccinate my baby accordingly.

But being a doctor, it is easy for me to understand these terms and also understand what they mean. So let me tell you why WHO prequalified vaccines are a big help and as parents, what you need to know about them.

What is a WHO prequalified vaccine?[1]

WHO has a vaccine prequalification method. It’s a service to help UNICEF and other UN agencies buying vaccines to do so with less worry. WHO checks the acceptability of a vaccine from different sources.

The World Health Organization (WHO) takes care of a lot of my headache as a mommy and a doctor. Their stringent quality guidelines for vaccines in children help me choose the right immunization schedule for my child. There is a strict protocol for assessment as well as a regular reassessment of vaccines for quality control.

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What does WHO check?

• They check the safety profile and efficacy
• Whether the efficacy of the vaccine is relevant to the target population – this means whether the vaccination for the disease is needed in that particular region according to incidence /prevalence data.
• The vaccine must meet the specific needs of the programme – its potency, presentation, labelling, shipping conditions, etc. are all critical for it to do what it’s supposed to do.

Combination vaccines[2,3]

Vaccines are available in combination protecting against major childhood diseases such as Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Hepatitis B, Poliomyelitis, and Haemophilus influenza type B. This reduces the total number of shots required to vaccinate babies.

How does a WHO prequalified combo vaccine works?

This vaccine-like other acts by inspiring the body’s immune cells to produce specific protein agents (antibodies) for its own protection against these diseases. You should talk to your Paediatrician, to know which vaccines your child requires. Vaccination is the best way to keep our children protected and safe from diseases. Most of the time a Government will want a bridging trial for the vaccine in the country under consideration. Ultimately it’s the Health of the Nation and the penultimate call is the Health Department of the Government. But the final one rests with parents.

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Disclaimer: The article is written after consultation with Dr.Abhijit Misra (MBBS, MD Pediatrics) who is a part of the Healthwealthbridge editorial board. All decisions of vaccination should only be done after in person consultation with your child’s Pediatrician. This is meant for public awareness and not to be taken as professional medical advice.

Reference:

1. https://www.who.int/immunization_standards/vaccine_quality/pq_system/en/
2. IAP2018-2019 Immunization guidelines: IAP ACVIP 2018_1 Recommendation (PDF)
3. Nelson Text Book of Pediatrics