27 MAY 2016 - The national regulatory authorities (NRAs) and national control laboratories (NCLs) responsible for testing and release of WHO-prequalified vaccines provide rigorous oversight of products and testing methods. Each year they test thousands of lots against approved specifications. In 2016 WHO brought together, for the first time, representatives of the national control laboratories (NCLs) involved in testing WHO-prequalified vaccines.

It was agreed to establish a Network providing a platform for exchange of quality and technical information on prequalified vaccines. The main objective of the Network will be to share quality information in order to facilitate access to vaccines through the recognition of the responsible NRA’s lot release by recipient countries.

Thereby this Network will contribute to reach the Sustainable Development Goal 3.8 which is significant and directly linked to vaccines: Namely to "Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all".