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Bharat Biotech launches oral cholera vaccine after positive Phase 3 trial | Company News

There are currently three pre-approved oral cholera vaccines. Image: Shutterstock

2 minutes reading time Last updated: 27 August 2024 | 13:44 IS

Indian vaccine maker Bharat Biotech said on Tuesday its Phase 3 trials of an oral cholera vaccine showed it was safe for public use and announced a global rollout despite supply shortages and a spreading epidemic.

The company, which developed Hillchol under license from Singapore-based Hilleman Laboratories, said it has capacity to produce 200 million doses when the vaccine is launched.

In a press release, Bharat Biotech said the company aims to bridge a global shortfall of 40 million doses per year with Hillchol, a vaccine that can be administered to people over one year of age.

The WHO said in June that 249,793 cholera cases and 2,137 deaths were reported from 25 countries in the first six months of the year, compared with 166,442 cases and 69 deaths in the same period in 2023.

WHO also said that 102 million doses of oral cholera vaccine have been requested by 17 countries since the beginning of 2023, almost twice the 51 million doses produced during that period.

Cholera is an acute diarrheal infection transmitted by ingesting contaminated food or water. It often causes mild or no symptoms. However, severe cases result in acute diarrhea and, if untreated, can lead to death within a few hours.

According to the WHO, clean water, hygiene and adequate sanitation are key to containing the spread of the disease.

So far, there are three pre-approved oral cholera vaccines, the UN agency previously announced.

(Only the headline and image of this report may have been edited by Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First published: 27 August 2024 | 13:44 IS

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