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April 15, 2002

INTERNATIONAL IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Rotavirus Vaccine to Be Ready in Seven Years"

Economic Times of India (www.economictimes.com) (04/15/02)

The results of more than a decade of research into a rotavirus vaccine to end diarrhea in children has reached the final stage in development, pending a full trial cycle and official approval prior to manufacturing and commercially marketing it.  Dr. Krishna Ella, Bharat Biotech International Limited company chairman and managing director, and Dr. Roger I. Glass, chief of the viral gastroenteritis section of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, addressed a press conference in Hyderabad over the weekend, noting that the vaccine was anticipated to be available in six to seven years.  The vaccine was developed by researchers at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences and the Indian Institute of Science under the Indo-US Vaccine Action Program.  Disease surveillance centers are planned for New Delhi, Vellore, Bangalore, Pune and Kolkata, and the children involved in the clinical trials will be monitored for up to two years.

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