The company plans to support India’s aim of achieving 90 per cent coverage through its expanded programme by 2020
Global vaccine research and development organisation, Hilleman Laboratories, announced the extension of its thermostable formulations to other vaccines, reaffirming its promise towards closing the immunisation gap in India. Hilleman Laboratories’ unique technology has shown remarkable advancement towards containing the life-threatening disease by creating safer and more effective vaccines. With this move, the company plans to support India’s aim of achieving 90 per cent coverage through its expanded programme by 2020.
Last year, Hilleman Laboratories had initiated research and development of thermostable formulations of oral rotavirus vaccine, which offered longer stability of the vaccine even in varying temperature across diverse environment. The development of a combination of highly thermostable vaccine as well as cheap and easy-to-administer delivery has made the rotavirus programme an important initiative. Hilleman Laboratories now endeavours to replicate this achievement to other vaccine programmes for improved affordability as well as increased access.
On the occasion of World Immunization Week, Dr Davinder Gill, Chief Executive Officer, Hilleman Laboratories said, “India is the world’s largest manufacturer of vaccines, but it is really sad that the country has the largest number of unimmunised children at close to seven million. The current state of immunisation in the country is quite heterogeneous, with different states having achieved varying levels of protection through vaccination. The country needs a consistent access to technology which can help immunise children against fatal diseases.”
While commending Government of India’s initiative, Mission Indradhanush, Hilleman Laboratories believes it can play a key role in supporting this programme through its robust heat stabilising technology that will help in distributing life-saving vaccines without the requirement of large bulk shipments, expensive warehousing and costly, difficult-to-maintain refrigerated shipping paths from the manufacturing plant to the patient.
“However, the road to immunity is not free from obstacles. The major challenges characterising immunisation in India are accessibility and affordability. Many isolated parts of the states do not have access to vaccines and are therefore highly susceptible to Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPDs). Besides, lack of trained manpower, infrastructure and well-equipped logistics hinders effective implementation of full coverage plans.” added Gill.
Hilleman Laboratories aims to not only increase access but also make vaccines affordable. In this, the company calls for cooperation and support from vaccine manufacturers and also like-minded stakeholders who can together work towards a cost-effective solution. Hilleman has been consistently working in this direction with the aim of bridging existing gaps in a significant way.
World Immunization Week is a part of the Global Vaccine Action Plan by the World Health Organization (WHO) and will be held from April 24 to 30, 2015.