India launches 1st indigenous pneumonia vaccine by Serum Institute

NEW DELHI: Health Minister Harsh Vardhan has launched India’s first indigenous pneumococcal conjugate vaccine ‘Pneumosil’, developed by the Serum Institute of India (SII).

“This is symbolic that India can make any vaccine in an affordable way without compromising on safety,” he said.

It was indeed a matter of great pride to have launched today, India’s 1st indigenous Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine called Pneumosil. Developed by @SerumInstIndia, it’s a shining example of India’s capacity & capability of manufacturing sophisticated vaccines.@MoHFW_INDIA pic.twitter.com/hfXXparwbk

— Dr Harsh Vardhan (@drharshvardhan) December 28, 2020

SII CEO Adar Poonawalla said the vaccine will cost around ₹220 for the government and around ₹735 in private market.

Serum Institute’s first indigenous Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine will be available in the market under brand name ‘Pneumosil’ at an affordable price in single dose (vial and pre-filled syringe) and multidose (vial) presentations.

“Pneumosil has been extensively evaluated in five randomised and controlled clinical trials, and has demonstrated comparable safety and immunogenicity against licensed pneumococcal vaccines across diverse populations of India and Africa, where Pneumosil was administered to adults, toddlers and infants using different vaccination schedules,” Vardhan was quoted as saying in the statement.

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