WHO prequalification for Synflorix pneumococcal vaccine four-dose vial

The World Health Organization (WHO) has awarded prequalification for the new four-dose vial presentation of Synflorix pneumococcal vaccine targeted mainly for countries that receive support from Gavi, an international organization created to improve access to new and underused vaccines for children living in the world’s poorest countries.

Following the announcement today by the vaccine’s maker, UK pharma major GlaxoSmithKline (LSE: GSK) saw its share price gain 1.37% to 1,536.75 pence.

The aim of WHO prequalification is to ensure that vaccines secured through UNICEF for use in national immunization services in low and middle income countries have an appropriate safety and efficacy profile and are suitable for the target populations at the recommended immunization schedules. This endorsement follows a positive opinion issued by the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in June 2017.