The nation of India has recently made headlines with the launch of its first fully indigenously developed pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, “Pneumosil.” The vaccine was developed and manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII) in collaboration with PATH and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
The Development of Pneumosil
The Serum Institute of India, based in Pune, is the largest vaccine manufacturer across the globe in terms of the quantity of doses produced and sold. They partnered with the Seattle-based international nonprofit global health organization, PATH, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The latter has its foundation grounded in improving global healthcare, reducing extreme poverty, and expanding education and access to information technology primarily in the USA.
About the Vaccine
Pneumosil targets the pneumococcal bacterium, which triggers pneumonia and other severe diseases like meningitis and sepsis. These diseases are life-threatening, especially for children under five years of age. Pneumococcal bacterium-induced diseases are estimated to cause nearly 400,000 deaths yearly in this age group worldwide.
The vaccine will be provided at an affordable price in both single-dose and multi-dose presentations.
Significance of Pneumosil
Until now, India was dependent on Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines (PCV) produced by foreign manufacturers, which were available at high prices. With the development of Pneumosil, SII becomes the first developing country vaccine manufacturer to access the worldwide PCV market. This success serves as a significant example of India’s capabilities in Research & Development and manufacturing high-quality vaccines.
Pneumococcal Disease: A Closer Look
Infections triggered by Streptococcus pneumoniae or pneumococcus bacteria fall under the broad category of pneumococcal diseases. This bacterium is the primary cause of infections including bloodstream infections, pneumonia, meningitis, and middle ear infections in young children.
When bacteria invade parts of the body that are typically free from germs, doctors characterize the infection as “invasive.” For instance, pneumococcal bacteria can invade the bloodstream, inducing bacteremia, and the tissues and fluids covering the brain and spinal cord, causing meningitis. Both of these conditions are very severe and often need hospital treatment.
The Burden of Disease in India
In India, an estimated 71% of all pneumonia deaths and 57% of severe pneumonia cases occur annually. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has reported that pneumonia is responsible for 15% of all deaths in children under five years globally.
Prevention Measures
The Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) is a key tool in preventing pneumococcal disease. The vaccine comprises several types of pneumococci that cause pneumonia — hence the term “conjugate” in its name. To combat pneumococcal disease, the Indian government has been ensuring availability of PCV under the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP).
The development and launch of Pneumosil by India marks a significant milestone in the global fight against pneumococcal diseases, providing a more accessible and affordable alternative for countries around the world.
