India’s H1N1 vaccine to hit market today

Called Vaxi Flu-S and manufactured by Zydus Cadila,the vaccine is expected to reach all parts of the country within this week. It has been tested on over 250 people and can be administered to people above 18 years to 60 years of age.

This is not an over-the-counter vaccine and can be bought from medical stores on doctor’s prescription for Rs 350. Azad hoped the price would come down once the other three companies — Serum Institute of India (Limited),Bharat Biotech International (Ltd),Hyderabad,and Panacea Biotech (Ltd) — also launched their products.

While Zydus Cadila has the capacity for manufacturing 6-7.5 million doses per annum of this vaccine,as many as 4.5 lakh doses will be released in the market shortly. “Dispatches for all the major cities will start from Friday,” said a senior official of Zydus Cadila.

Another three million doses would be released after two months,said Health Ministry officials.

“According to the World Health Organisation,the strain is not going to change very soon. Going by that,we can say that once injected,the vaccine will give us protection for one year at least,” said Pankaj R Patel,chairman and managing director,Zydus Cadila.

While no side effects were seen in those administered with the vaccine,it is not advisable for those having allergy to eggs. Experts also maintain Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS),a neurological disorder affecting the peripheral nervous system,has to be watched out for. “Though no case of GBS has been reported,there is a need to remain watchful. Also,those having allergy to eggs should not get themselves vaccinated with this vaccine,” said Dr V M Katoch,director general,Indian Council of Medical research.

Pregnant women and children will have to wait for vaccination for some more time as more “extended researches” are under way.