India’s 1st indigenous pneumococcal vaccine launched by Serum Institute

Dec. 30: The first indigenous pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) of the country, developed by the Serum Institute of India (SII) in collaboration with PATH, and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation was officially launched by India’s Minist on Monday. The 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, touted as the world’s most affordable pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, provides protection against 10 variants of pneumococcus bacteria that causes pneumonia, meningitis, ear, and blood infections in children.

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

The vaccine was inaugurated by India’s Minister for Health and Family Welfare Harsh Vardhan in virtual mode. In a tweet, the Minister wrote, “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.”