NIBSC experts at paediatric typhoid vaccine workshop

11 February 2015

NIBSC played an important role in a recent meeting to discuss World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines on the quality, safety and efficacy of typhoid conjugate vaccines. The workshop was for regulatory authorities in South East Asia responsible for licensing a new paediatric typhoid vaccine. 

Experts from NIBSC gave lectures on:

• the manufacturing process of typhoid conjugate vaccines
• the characterisation of intermediates and final lots
• aspects of quality control methods for typhoid conjugate vaccines

They also facilitated group discussions and acted as rapporteur for the meeting.

By the end of the meeting a common understanding of the WHO guidelines was reached and participants particularly benefited from the practical discussions on the quality and clinical evaluation of typhoid conjugate vaccines which will aid licensing decisions.

The workshop was organised by WHO and the National Institutes of Food and Drug Control (NIFDC) in China. Over 40 participants took part including: 

• 15 representatives from the national regulatory authorities/national control laboratories of: 
  • Bangladesh
  • China
  • Cuba
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Japan
  • Korea
  • Nepal
  • Philippines
  • Thailand
  • Vietnam

• 11 representatives from vaccine manufacturers
•  9 international experts from:
  • NIBSC
  • Health Canada
  • International Vaccine Institute (Korea)
  • NIH (USA)
  • Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (India)

See further information that NIBSC does in this area.

See the WHO guidelines on the quality, safety and efficacy of typhoid conjugate vaccines (published December 2013) (external link).

See the relevant SAGE meeting on the Typhoid conjugate vaccines held in July 2014 (external link).