Parents of ‘cry babies’ can breathe a sigh of relief as biotech companies are focusing on developing fewer dose vaccines that require lesser number of needle pricks. Whether it is in the form of combination vaccines or new independent ones, most of the Indian companies in the private sector are giving emphasis to fewer dose vaccines.

Shantha Biotechnics has launched Shantetra, a four-in-one vaccine for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and Hepatitis-B. ‘‘The combination vaccine will reduce the number of pricks from six to three and trips to doctors for the administration of vaccine,’’ said Ranajit Sen, assistant V-P, Shantha Biotechnics Ltd. He said the trend was started in the west on WHO’s advice.

He said lesser number of dosages would help consumers to reduce indirect cost like transportation.

Another company, which is in the process of launching a single-dosage vaccine against Japanese encephalitis, is Bharat Biotech. It has entered into a manufacturing and marketing pact with UK-based Acambis for developing ChimeriVax-JE.

‘‘The existing JE vaccine in India requires three dosages. Our effort is to launch a single dosage vaccine by March next year,’’ said Krishna Mohan, President of the company.

On the other hand, Suresh Jadhav, executive director, Serum Institute of India & president of Developing Country Vaccine Manufacturers Network (DCVMN) said developed countries like the US and European Union would lay emphasis on single dosage vaccine. ‘‘In India, however, this can result in increased expenditure as a single dosage vaccine requires higher storage cost,’’ he said.

Talking about consumer education, he said the government was taking steps to increase awareness among people.

(www.newindpress.com)