India's leading vaccine manufacturer Serum Institute of India has manufactured for the first time first indigenous Tetanus and Diphtheria (Td) vaccines .
The vaccine is called Td-Vac and will combat the deadly diphtheria and tetanus among both adolescents and adults. The new vaccine will replace the existing TT (Tetanus) vaccine, which is normally administered after an injury.Td-Vac is priced at Rs 7.50 whereas the TT vaccine costs Rs.6.50. Revenues of Rs 5-6 crore is expected at the end of one year. One-lakh ampoules are being launched in the first phase that is worth Rs.60 lakhs. The vaccine is scheduled to be launched by this month end or early January 2006.
Serum Institute of India Marketing Director Masud Ahmed said - "With the launch of India's first indigenous vaccine in this segment, we are yet again offering the Indian masses the benefit of two vaccines in one, as is the norm in developed countries. It puts us on par with their standards,"
"The incidence of Diphtheria has doubled in the last one year and the mortality rate of 20 per cent in India is also very high," he said.
There were other reasons also for the company to launch the vaccine. "The Indian Academy of Pediatrics has recommended the use of Td vaccine in all individuals over the age of seven years," he said.
Chairman Dr Cyrus Poonawalla earlier said the Institute had always looked forward at launching international standard life saving vaccines in the Indian market.
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