WHO preferred product characteristics for vaccines against Shigella

Overview

Diarrhoeal diseases are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Among children younger than 5 years, it is estimated that diarrhoea is responsible for about 446,000 deaths, which are geographically concentrated in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Shigella was the second leading cause of diarrhoeal mortality in 2016 among all ages, and the leading bacterial cause of diarrhoea, accounting for approximately 212 000 deaths and about 13% of all diarrhoea deaths. Although Shigella infections occur worldwide, across all age groups with broad geographical distribution, the greatest burden is among children in LMICs where it is estimated to be responsible for between 28, 000 (MCEE estimates) and 64, 000 deaths (Global Burden of Disease study estimates), among children under 5 years of age.

The articulation of PPCs for Shigella vaccines is intended to help advance product development and support policy assessment for the use in areas where the vaccine is most needed. To frame the development of Shigella vaccine PPCs, the WHO convened a global stakeholder consultation to assess the priority public health needs, particularly in endemic areas. The outcome of this consultation was a consensus statement that the primary goal is to develop a safe, effective and affordable vaccine to reduce mortality and morbidity due to dysentery and diarrhoea caused by Shigella in children under 5 years of age, in LMICs.