Sanofi launches paediatric vaccine Shan5 in India

With the launch of Shan 5 in India 27 million babies born annually will have access to vaccination

Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of Sanofi, announced today the launch of Shan5, its paediatric pentavalent vaccine developed and manufactured by its affiliate Shantha Biotechnic in India.

The vaccine received prequalification status from the World Health Organisation (WHO) in April 2014.

“A significant number of babies born every year in India do not have access to modern vaccination programmes. The launch of Shan 5 in India means that 27 million babies born annually in India will have access to vaccination to protect from five potentially deadly diseases. By launching the vaccine Shantha will be contributing to filling this immunisation gap for the benefit of babies and their parents,” Harish Iyer, CEO of Hyderabad-based Shantha said.

The WHO prequalification helps secure the supply of pentavalent combination vaccines in over 50 emerging and low-income countries, according to the company.