WHO Grants Prequalification to GSK’s Malaria Vaccine

GSK announced on Sept. 6, 2022 that the World Health Organization (WHO) has awarded prequalification to Mosquirix, GSK’s malaria vaccine. This is the first prequalification for a malaria vaccine, according to a company press release. The WHO’s decision is an important step to beginning the process of distributing the vaccine in countries with moderate to high malaria transmission.

The WHO prequalification is a mandatory prerequisite for United Nations agencies, such as UNICEF, to gain vaccine partnership with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and eligible countries. GSK was determined to meet standards of quality, safety, and efficacy with its vaccine before prequalification.

“WHO prequalification of Mosquirix is a key step in reaching children with [this] malaria vaccine,” said Thomas Breuer, chief global health officer, GSK, in a company press release. “Malaria remains a significant cause of illness and death for children in many parts of the world, and it is a significant driver of inequality. So far, [more than one] million children in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi have had at least one dose of Mosquirix, donated by GSK, through the Malaria Vaccine Implementation [Program], and WHO’s prequalification paves the way for more children to benefit from the vaccine.”

Source: GSK