Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of Sanofi, on Monday launched Shan5, its paediatric pentavalent vaccine developed and manufactured by its Indian affiliate Shantha.
It is a fully-liquid five-in-one vaccine that provides effective protection for children from six weeks of age against five diseases, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, Hib and hepatitis B.
The launch of Shan5 vaccine received prequalification status from the World Health Organization (WHO) in April 2014.
``The launch of Shan5 in India means that 27 million babies born annually in India will have access to vaccination, to protect them from 5 potentially deadly diseases. By launching Shan5, Shantha will be contributing to filling this immunisation gap for the benefit of babies and their parents", said Harish Iyer, CEO, Shantha in a release issued here.
Shan5’s prequalification gives many more children in India access to the latest fully-liquid, 5-in-1 vaccine. Further, the prequalification helps Shan5 secure the supply of pentavalent combination vaccines in over 50 emerging and low-income countries.