Imported swine flu vaccine will reach India in February

NEW DELHI - Imported swine flu vaccine will finally be available in India by the third week of February but these vials are mainly for the high-risk group of medical practitioners. The indigenously developed vaccine will not be available before April, officials said here Tuesday.

“The French pharma company Sanofi Pasteur is at least 15 days ahead of others. The vaccine from this company will be available in India by the third week of February,” Drug Controller General of India S. Singh said.

“The company is starting the bridge study (human trials) from Wednesday,” he said.

The price of this imported vaccine will be around Rs.300.

Earlier in the day, Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said that the indigenous swine flu vaccine will be available in India in April. “We are developing the swine flu vaccine which will form the base for immunising other influenzas like bird flu as well,” he said.

So far, India has reported over 1,100 deaths due to the contagious virus and over 28,000 people have been infected with the disease till now.