WHO prequalification of vaccines and medicines
WHO's stamp that a vaccine or medicine meets quality, safety and efficacy standards, so UN agencies can buy it.
What the paper can ask
- Prequalification covers vaccines, medicines, diagnostics, immunisation devices and vector control products; nearly 1,500 products have been prequalified. (as of 23 Oct 2026)
- The vaccines programme dates back to 1987.
- Products are assessed as 'safe, effective and of good quality' after data review, testing and site inspection.
- WHO's priority list for prequalification includes HPV, malaria, rotavirus, typhoid and pneumococcal vaccines.
Latest
CERVAVAC, Serum Institute of India's quadrivalent HPV vaccine, received WHO prequalification in October 2026, the company's 32nd prequalified product.
Why exams ask
When an Indian vaccine is prequalified, the question is what disease it targets, who makes it and what prequalification allows.
The full story
WHO prequalification is an assessment by the World Health Organization of vaccines, medicines, diagnostics and other health products, mainly for use in low and middle income countries. WHO reviews the manufacturer's data, tests samples and inspects the factory. Once a product is prequalified, UN agencies such as UNICEF and funders such as Gavi can buy it in bulk for national immunisation programmes.