Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of Sanofi, has launched ShanIPV, an injectable inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) manufactured by its arm Shantha Biotechnics Pvt Ltd here.

ShanIPV is a ‘made in India’ vaccine, manufactured in Hyderabad through technology transfer from Sanofi Pasteur. It is currently approved for use in the Indian market.

Both Sanofi Pasteur and its affiliate Shantha will provide the majority of vaccine doses needed till the end of 2016. All vaccines (both Imovax Polio of Sanofi Pasteur and ShanIPV of Shantha) will be delivered to India through UNICEF.

Commenting on the launch, Shailesh Ayyangar, Managing Director - India and Vice President - South Asia, Sanofi said: “With the introduction of IPV in the immunisation schedule, our Company is playing a key role in achieving the goal of a polio-free world.”

In line with the WHO’s Global endgame strategy, India is introducing one dose of IPV at 14 weeks of age. IPV is to be given in addition to the existing oral polio vaccine. This introduction is a critical step towards achieving a polio-free world by 2019 to meet the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) Endgame Strategic Plan.

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. India has had a very strong focus on polio eradication and this move to introduce IPV in the UIP will provide the required impetus for a polio free India.

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