Japanese encephalitis vaccine achieves WHO prequalification, a key step in expanding access and protecting more children

Japanese encephalitis vaccine achievesJapanese encephalitis vaccine achieves WHO prequalification, a key step in expanding access and protecting more children PR Newswire SEATTLE and BEIJING, Oct. 9, 2013 -- Milestone marks the first prequalified JE vaccine for children and the first Chinese vaccine manufacturer to achieve prequalification An affordable vaccine to protect children against deadly Japanese encephalitis (JE) has been prequalified by the World Health Organization (WHO), paving the way to reach millions more children across Asia at risk for the disease. The announcement was made today by PATH, a global health nonprofit organization, and China National Biotec Group Co., Ltd. (CNBG), the leading vaccine manufacturer in China. The SA 14-14-2 live, attenuated JE vaccine is the first JE vaccine to be prequalified for use in children by WHO. This milestone also marks the first time a Chinese vaccine manufacturer has achieved WHO prequalification. The vaccine is manufactured by Chengdu Institute of Biological Products Co., Ltd. (CDIBP), a subsidiary of CNBG. With funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, PATH led a series of pivotal clinical trials to establish the immunogenicity and safety of the vaccine in at-risk children and provided technical and financial support to help CDIBP meet the international manufacturing standards required for WHO prequalification.