A standardised assay for the evaluation of typhoid vaccines
Scientists from the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control have led a multi-laboratory study to evaluate a standardised assay for determining the potency of typhoid conjugate vaccines.
The results of this study, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, were recently published in the journal Biologicals. It is hoped that the use of this assay will help to accelerate the licensing process for vaccines that are undergoing clinical trial.
Typhoid is a bacterial infection that represents a major challenge for public health, particularly in developing countries. Vaccination remains the leading strategy for preventing disease outbreaks and it is known that typhoid conjugate vaccines (TCVs) offer longer lasting protection than conventional typhoid vaccines and are also safe enough for use with infants. At present, there are three TCVs licensed for use with several more in clinical and pre-clinical development.