Can the oral cholera vaccine launched by Bharat Biotech be a game-changer? | THE WEEK

Summary

Bharat Biotech recently launched **Hill Co**, a novel single-strain oral cholera vaccine, addressing the global shortage of such vaccines. Currently, there is only one manufacturer worldwide, leading to a significant shortfall of 40 million doses annually, while global demand exceeds 100 million doses. Cholera is spread through contaminated food or water. **Hill Co** was tested in clinical trials in Bangladesh and India, involving 3,600 volunteers. It is a two-dose regimen taken on Day 0 and Day 14, suitable for children over one year old, and must be stored at 2°C to 8°C. Bharat Biotech has built production facilities in Hyderabad and Bhaneswar, with a combined capacity of 200 million doses per year.

Takeaways

• 😀 Bharat Biotech recently launched *Hill Co*, a novel single-strain oral cholera vaccine.
• 😀 The global shortage of oral cholera vaccines is significant, with a deficit of around 40 million doses annually.
• 😀 Currently, only one manufacturer supplies oral cholera vaccines worldwide, while the demand exceeds 100 million doses per year.
• 😀 Cholera is an acute diarrheal infection caused by ingesting contaminated food or water.
• 😀 Bharat Biotech has established large-scale manufacturing facilities in Hyderabad and Bhubaneswar to address the vaccine shortage.
• 😀 The manufacturing capacity will produce up to 200 million doses of *Hill Co* annually, with 45 million doses from the Hyderabad facility.
• 😀 The vaccine is a two-dose regimen, administered on Day 0 and Day 14, suitable for children over one year old.
• 😀 *Hill Co* should be stored between 2°C and 8°C to maintain its effectiveness.
• 😀 Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trials were conducted in Bangladesh, and Phase 3 efficacy trials were conducted in India with 3,600 volunteers.
• 😀 The launch of *Hill Co* is significant in meeting global demand for cholera vaccines and reducing the current supply shortage.

Q & A

What is the newly launched oral cholera vaccine by Bharat Biotech called?

The new oral cholera vaccine launched by Bharat Biotech is called Hill Co.

Why is the launch of Hill Co significant?

The launch of Hill Co is significant due to the global shortage of cholera vaccines, with only one manufacturer supplying the vaccine worldwide, and a deficit of about 40 million doses annually.

How many doses of the oral cholera vaccine are needed globally each year?

The global demand for the oral cholera vaccine exceeds 100 million doses annually.

What are the main causes of cholera infection?

Cholera is an acute diarrheal infection caused by ingesting contaminated food or water.

What is the production capacity for Hill Co vaccine?

Bharat Biotech has established manufacturing facilities with the capacity to produce up to 200 million doses of Hill Co annually, with 45 million doses produced in Hyderabad and the remainder in Bhubaneswar.

What is the recommended storage temperature for Hill Co?

Hill Co should be stored at temperatures between 2°C to 8°C.

What is the vaccination schedule for Hill Co?

Hill Co is a two-dose vaccine, with doses administered on Day Zero and Day 14.

Which age group is Hill Co most suitable for?

Hill Co is most suitable for children over the age of one year.

Where were the clinical trials for Hill Co conducted?

Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical studies for Hill Co were conducted in Bangladesh, while the Phase 3 efficacy study took place in India, involving 3,600 volunteers.

How does the cholera vaccine help in public health?

The cholera vaccine helps in preventing cholera, an acute diarrheal disease that can lead to severe dehydration and death if untreated, thereby reducing the global health burden and saving lives.