Indian vaccine makers lead UNICEF's new vaccine supply agreement

MUMBAI: Indian vaccine makers have clinched a three year deal with UNICEF for supplying millions of doses of the pentavalent vaccine that protects children against five infections of diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenza.

Serum Institute, Panacea Biotech and Biology E are the three Indian companies who have bagged this deal along with Shanta Biotech, Jansen and LG Life Sciences to supply vaccines for less than a dollar.

“We estimate that pentavalent vaccination will avert 5.7 million deaths in Gavi-supported countries between 2011 and 2020,” said Dr Seth Berkley, CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

“The market for five-in-one vaccines is now a lot healthier than it was just a few years ago thanks to our collective efforts to grow a base of vaccine suppliers", Berkley added in a statement.

Gavi said that over the next three years the Alliance and countries procuring pentavalent vaccines through the UNICEF tender are expected to save close to US$ 366 million, thanks to this deal.