WHO informal consultation on the application of molecular methods to assure the quality, safety and efficacy of vaccines, Geneva, Switzerland, 7–8 April 2005

In April 2005, the World Health Organization convened an informal consultation on molecular methods to assure the quality, safety and efficacy of vaccines. The consultation was attended by experts from national regulatory authorities, vaccine industry and academia. Crosscutting issues on the application of molecular methods for a number of vaccines that are currently in use or under development were presented, and specific methods for further collaborative studies were discussed and identified. The main points of recommendation from meeting participants were fourfold: (i) that molecular methods should be encouraged; (ii) that collaborative studies are needed for many methods/applications; (iii) that basic science should be promoted; and (iv) that investment for training, equipment and facilities should be encouraged.