Sanofi unit ships part of paediatric vaccine consignment

Sanofi Pasteur today said it has dispatched part of a consignment of six million doses of Shan5 - a paediatric pentavalent vaccine, by its affiliate Shantha Biotechnics.
According to a statement issued by the vaccines maker, Shan5 is being manufactured in Shantha Biotechnics' new plant located in Muppireddypally near here, and will be exported to Nigeria, Morocco and Rwanda through UNICEF.
The commercial production of vaccines started in May after getting the necessary approvals from the regulatory authorities in Indian and the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Shailesh Ayyangar, Managing Director - India and Vice-President - South Asia, Sanofi said, "With a dedicated site for vaccines in the country, we are reinforcing our commitment towards disease prevention and public health in India and across the world. We thank the Telangana Government for their encouragement and support in our endeavour."

Mahesh Bhalgat, Executive Director and Chief Operation Officer, Shantha Biotechnics, India said, "Across the world, a large number of babies today do not have access to modern vaccination programs.
"Our aim, at Shantha Biotechnics, is to fill this gap by providing large supplies of high-quality vaccines to emerging and low-income countries. Our new manufacturing site will help us to meet the purpose."
Shan5, prequalified by the WHO in April 2014, is a fully-liquid five-in-one, convenient, safe and high-quality vaccine that provides effective protection for children from 6 weeks of age against five diseases - diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, Hib and hepatitis B, it said.