First Made in India rotavirus vaccine, cost just around Rs 50
An indigenously-developed vaccine
that could cost around just Rs 50 per dose was unveiled here
today to treat severe rotavirus diarrhoea, which kills more
than one lakh children under the age of five in India every
year.
The Rotavac vaccine, which is a culmination of efforts
spanning 28 years, has an efficacy of 56 per cent if
administered in the first year of life, according to
scientists who released the results of the Phase III clinical
trials of the vaccine.
"Rotavac significantly reduced severe rotavirus diarrhoea
by more than half," M K Bhan, former Secretary, Department of
Biotechnology, who isolated the rotavirus strain in 1985 while
pursuing research at AIIMS, told reporters here.
However, commercial production of the vaccine would take
some time as it is yet to get clearance from the Drug
Controller General of India (DCGI).
"We are planning to file a dossier with the DCGI in July.
We will come to the market after getting the requisite
regulatory clearances," Krishna M Ella, Chairman and Managing
Director, Bharat Biotech, said.
Bharat Biotech, which has been associated in the
development of vaccine candidates and clinical trials, has
announced a price of USD one (about Rs 54.7 )per dose--much
cheaper than other rotavirus vaccines available in the market.
The price of the vaccine now used is in the range of Rs 800 to
900.
Officials said there were two licensed rotavirus vaccines
introduced in more than 40 countries but they remain out of
reach for many in the developing world.
"The results indicate that the vaccine, if licensed,
could save the lives of thousands of children each year in
India," K Vijay Raghavan, Secretary, Department of
Biotechnology, said.
Rotavac is an oral vaccine administered to infants in a
three-dose course at the ages of six, 10 and 14 weeks
alongside routine immunisations recommended at these ages.
According to a study in Lancet, Rotavirus is most common
causative agent of moderate-to-severe diarrhoea (MSD) among
infants below 11 months age group in India.
An indigenously-developed vaccine
that could cost around just Rs 50 per dose was unveiled here
today to treat severe rotavirus diarrhoea, which kills more
than one lakh children under the age of five in India every
year.
The Rotavac vaccine, which is a culmination of efforts
spanning 28 years, has an efficacy of 56 per cent if
administered in the first year of life, according to
scientists who released the results of the Phase III clinical
trials of the vaccine.
"Rotavac significantly reduced severe rotavirus diarrhoea
by more than half," M K Bhan, former Secretary, Department of
Biotechnology, who isolated the rotavirus strain in 1985 while
pursuing research at AIIMS, told reporters here.
However, commercial production of the vaccine would take
some time as it is yet to get clearance from the Drug
Controller General of India (DCGI).
"We are planning to file a dossier with the DCGI in July.
We will come to the market after getting the requisite
regulatory clearances," Krishna M Ella, Chairman and Managing
Director, Bharat Biotech, said.
Bharat Biotech, which has been associated in the
development of vaccine candidates and clinical trials, has
announced a price of USD one (about Rs 54.7 )per dose--much
cheaper than other rotavirus vaccines available in the market.
The price of the vaccine now used is in the range of Rs 800 to
900.
Officials said there were two licensed rotavirus vaccines
introduced in more than 40 countries but they remain out of
reach for many in the developing world.
"The results indicate that the vaccine, if licensed,
could save the lives of thousands of children each year in
India," K Vijay Raghavan, Secretary, Department of
Biotechnology, said.
Rotavac is an oral vaccine administered to infants in a
three-dose course at the ages of six, 10 and 14 weeks
alongside routine immunisations recommended at these ages.
According to a study in Lancet, Rotavirus is most common
causative agent of moderate-to-severe diarrhoea (MSD) among
infants below 11 months age group in India.
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