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March 6, 2002

 

"Kenya: New Combined Vaccine Launched to Fight Killer Children's Diseases" BBC Worldwide Monitoring (www.monitor.bbc.co.uk) (03/06/02)

 

According to a report in the East African Standard, a combination vaccine that protects against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenzae type b has been introduced in Kenya.  Using funding from the Global Alliance for Vaccination and Immunization (GAVI), the Pentavalent vaccine will be offered without charge in all public hospitals in Kenya.  Dr. Stanley Sonoiyo, the manager of the Kenya Expanded Program for Immunization, noted that "the combined vaccine is the most cost-effective, convenient, easily administered and most effective in combating common childhood infectious diseases." Pentavalent's manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), is selling the vaccine to at subsidized prices in an attempt to reduce health costs and make vaccine delivery more efficient, says GSK commercial director John Musunga.

 

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