On January 3rd 2018 the World Health Organization declared the prequalification of a new typhoid conjugate vaccine specifically targeting low- and middle income countries. The news came to us as a pleasant surprise and we are all grateful to Bharat Biotech International who against all odds took the initiative to manufacture and invest in this neglected disease called typhoid.

Caused by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi, typhoid continues to affect over 12 million people world wide every year with substantial mortality. While it has been mostly eliminated from the developed countries it continues to haunt under developed or developing nations. With the endowment from Gavi funding $US85 million to support the introduction of TCVs we are expecting its introductions in 2019-2020.

The latest typhoid conjugate vaccines (TYPBAR-TCV) are made by linking the Vi capsular polysaccharide to a more complex protein allowing to stimulate parts of the immune system that the Vi polysaccharide vaccines cannot, thereby inducing a stronger, longer-lasting immunity at a lower dose among a broad age range.

We expect ones TCVs are integrated through routine immunization it will have the potential to reduce the demand for antibiotics and slower the emergence of drug resistant strains.

Click the link below to know more about how the new typhoid vaccine gained momentum and how it has marked a unique beginning in vaccine introduction, through the words of Samir Saha, Executive Director of Child Health Research Foundation.