India progresses towards polio-free world

India is officially introducing IPV in their national immunization schedule, to supplement the iconic “drops on sugar” of oral polio vaccine (OPV).

Sanofi’s vaccines division “Pasteur” announced on Monday that the first shipment of ShanIPV, a brand new injectable, inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) manufactured by its affiliate Shantha Biotechnics, in Hyderabad, India, will occur in a couple of days.

These first vaccine doses will be available to implement one dose of IPV in India’s immunization schedule for all infants.

Over 20 million newborns will eventually benefit from this new vaccine every year, Sanofi said in a press release adding that it was a critical step towards a polio-free future, a prospect that is now very close.

India’s 2014 certification as polio-free reassured experts that the decades-long global fight against polio was finally drawing to an end. Sanofi Pasteur and its affiliate Shantha Biotechnics will together produce most of India’s IPV supply, Sanofi stated.

“With the introduction of IPV in their immunization schedule, India moves the world much closer to being polio-free”, said Olivier Charmeil, President and CEO of Sanofi Pasteur.

“As a company deeply rooted in India, we are very proud that vaccines produced by both Sanofi Pasteur and Shantha will be used in this vital step towards a polio-free world. We have worked as partners of the government of India for many years, with this day in mind.”

India progresses polio-free world

Only two countries in the world are still classified as polio endemic, meaning that wild polio virus passes routinely between members of the community. However, great progress has been made in both countries and the last case of polio in the world may possibly be only months away.

“Ours will be the last generation to see the horror of children paralyzed or killed by polio. I am sure,” said Pr Jacob John, Former Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India.

“Maybe we will remember 2015 as the year we took the final step to eradicate this disease forever.”