Following introduction of Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) under Universal Immunisation programme (UIP), Sanofi Pasteur, a vaccine division of Sanofi, has announced launch of ShanIPV, an injectable inactivated polio vaccine, which will secure the future of millions of children in India.

The vaccine is launched by the Telangana Chief Minister Chandrashekar Rao here on Friday at a simple meeting in the Secretariat. The vaccine will be produced by Shantha Biotechnics at its Hyderabad facility. Made in Telangana polio vaccine will reach across the corners of the world soon.

Highly effective IPV with Low Cost:

Oral Polio Vaccine has a one percent failure risk whereas IPV is without any risk, according to an official release. The IPV is highly effective in preventing paralytic disease caused by all three types of polio virus. KCR, after launching the vaccine, handed over the first sample of a five-dose pack to the representative of UNICEF.

Shanta Biotechnics chairman K.I. Varaprasad Reddy said that though the IPVs were priced Rs.1,050 per unit in the international market, Shanta Biotechnics would supply them to the UNICEF and the government of India at Rs.55 each.

Both Government of India and UNICEF decided to use this vaccine as part of total eradication of polio. Shantha plans to produce a total of more than 10 million doses next year with additional increases planned in subsequent years.

KCR also assured Varaprasad Reddy that the government would extend all help to the efforts to start a cancer care centre for terminally-ill patients. UNICEF Child Protection specialist Sonykutty George and others were present at the launch of the vaccine.