Technical note: quality and regulatory considerations for the use of vitamin A supplements in public health programmes for infants and children aged 6–59 months

Overview

Vitamin A supplementation programmes for infants and young children have been implemented since the mid-1990s for the reduction of morbidity and mortality in low- and middle-income countries where vitamin A deficiency is a known or suspected public health problem.

This technical note aims to help Member States and their partners in their efforts to make informed decisions on the selection of vitamin A supplements in public health programmes for infants and children 6–59 months of age. This document summarizes the quality-related regulatory considerations and the specifications of the finished product to be taken into account when producing, procuring, importing, storing or distributing vitamin A capsules; as well as the available evidence on the efficacy and safety of vitamin A supplements.