A recent announcement that WHO has prequalified the first conjugate vaccine for typhoid offers a major boost to prevention efforts against a disease that causes 11–20 million cases annually and up to 161,000 deaths.

The vaccine — Bharat Biotech’s Typbar-TCV® — offers significant advantages over previous vaccines, including the need for fewer doses and its use in children under the age of 2, says Kathleen M. Neuzil, MD, MPH, director, Center for Vaccine Development at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

WHO prequalification is a critical step in expanding access to lifesaving typhoid conjugate vaccines. Prequalification ensures that vaccines provided through the United Nations for use in national immunization services are safe, effective and suitable for the target populations at the recommended immunization schedules, and allows UNICEF, and other United Nations procurement agencies to purchase Typbar-TCV. It also enables eligible countries to apply for funding assistance from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi), which recently approved $85 million to support the introduction of typhoid conjugate vaccines, including Typbar-TCV.

Typhoid vaccines — alongside safe water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions — are a critical component to preventing typhoid and reducing the disease’s burden in high-risk, endemic areas.

Read the full article about the advantages of the new typhoid vaccine by Brian W. Simpson at Global Health NOW.