First Pneumococcocal Vaccine Launched in India

EHM News Bureau

Prevenar, a vaccine for Invasive Pneumococcal Disease (IPD), was recently launched for the first time in India. Prevenar is the first and only pneumococcal conjugate vaccine that protects a child against pneumococcal diseases like meningitis, bacterialpnuemonia, septicaemia and bacteraemia (bacteria in the blood). Prevenar was officially launched by Wyeth Limited, one of the world's largest research-driven healthcare products companies, in Mumbai.

Pneumococcal disease is caused by a group of illnesses caused by the bacteria streptococcous pneumonia also known as Pneumococcous. Children between the age group of 2-24 months are most vulnerable in habouring these germs and thereby transmitting it to other children. Children from this age group are carriers of pneumoccoci in their throats. The risk of meningitis and bacteremia are greatest during the first two years in a child's life.

"Its been a long journey but we are delighted to announce that Prevenar is here in India to protect children from Invasive Pneumococcal Disease that is responsible for so many cases of childhood mortality and morbidity," said Ranga Iyer, Managing Director, Wyeth Ltd at the launch of the vaccine. He added, "This vaccine will not only protect children from critical diseases but also reduce the disease burden in India to a great extent."

Dr Mark Fletcher, MD and Director, International Scientific and Clinical Affairs, Wyeth Vaccine Research, Paris, said, "Globally Invasive Pneumococcal Disease is responsible for more than one million child deaths every year according to the WHO. Research has shown that streptococcus pneumonia strains are now increasingly resistant to penicillin and other antibiotics. Prevenar is now part of the regular immunisation schedule in many countries." Since the licensure of Prevenar globally in 2000, worldwide 30-40 million children have been protected against invasive pneumococcal disease.

Prevenar is a seven-valient vaccine. However, Dr Nitin Shah, Consultant Paediatrician, P D Hinduja National Hospital, Mumbai, clarifies that this vaccine does not treat seven separate diseases at one time. He said, "Under pneumococcus. there are 80 serotypes. All 80 do not lead to clinical infections. Around 50-60 serotypes lead to clinical infections out of which seven serotypes cause severe diseases. This vaccine targets these seven serotypes."

Prevenar is administered in three doses to children below the age of two years; 6-10-14 weeks after birth and a booster dose at 12-15 months. The price of one dose is Rs 3750 per dose plus taxes. The vaccine does not come under the EPI (Expanded Programme for Immunisation) and hence will be initially available only in the private hospitals. Will it make an impact on child mortality rate in India? "It is too early to say to talk about its impact. Only time can tell us the positive aspects of this vaccine," Dr Shah replied.