Sanofi Pasteur to Provide 1.7 Million Doses of Oral Polio Vaccine from 2013 to 2017 for Polio Eradication
Company also expands injectable polio vaccine production capacity to respond to the World Health Organization's endgame strategy
April 24, 2013 /3BL Media/ - Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of Sanofi, announced today its commitment to provide 1.7 billion doses of oral polio vaccine (OPV) to support the Global Polio eradication Initiative’s (GPEI) strategy to eradicate polio this decade. The doses of OPV will be delivered through 2017 for GPEI polio vaccination program.
In addition to OPV campaigns, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) expert group on immunization (SAGE) recommends that all countries introduce at least one dose of injectable inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) in routine polio immunization programs. Sanofi Pasteur is responding to this strategy with the expansion of production capacities of IPV.
“Wiping out polio for good is in sight and Sanofi Pasteur intends to remain an active contributor to achieve zero polio,” said Olivier Charmeil, President and CEO of Sanofi Pasteur. “We believe that the introduction of IPV in routine polio immunization will consolidate the tremendous progress achieved over the last decades and ensure a polio-free world for the future. Sanofi Pasteur has been a leading provider of polio vaccines and a supporter of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative for over 20 years. We intend to continue to be a major supporter of WHO and its partners to finish the job.”
As a result of vaccination, polio cases have been reduced by 99% over 20 years, saving millions of children from paralysis. The GPEI has set the goal of eradicating the disease completely. Today only a few countries are still affected by polio.
“A strong and steady supply of polio vaccines will ensure that every child is fully protected against polio,” said John Hewko, General Secretary of the humanitarian service organization Rotary International, a spearheading partner in the polio eradication initiative. “Sanofi Pasteur’s commitment of 1.7 billion vaccine doses comes at a crucial moment as we make the final push needed to end polio once and for all. On behalf of Rotary’s 1.2 million members worldwide, I commend and thank Sanofi Pasteur for its steadfast support.”
Polio vaccination protects against disease from all three types of polio virus. SAGE now recommends that all countries introduce at least one dose of IPV in routine polio immunization programs to mitigate the risk of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV). The introduction of IPV will pave the way for the cessation of oral poliovirus vaccine type 2 (OPV2) since wild poliovirus type 2 has already been eliminated. It is hoped that, with this new vaccination schedule, wild poliovirus types 1 and 3 will also be eradicated within the next few years.
About Sanofi
Sanofi, a global and diversified healthcare leader, discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions focused on patients’ needs. Sanofi has core strengths in the field of healthcare with seven growth platforms: diabetes solutions, human vaccines, innovative drugs, consumer healthcare, emerging markets, animal health and the new Genzyme. Sanofi is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York (NYSE: SNY).
Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of Sanofi, provides more than 1 billion doses of vaccine each year, making it possible to immunize more than 500 million people across the globe. A world leader in the vaccine industry, Sanofi Pasteur offers the broadest range of vaccines protecting against 20 infectious diseases. The company's heritage, to create vaccines that protect life, dates back more than a century. Sanofi Pasteur is the largest company entirely dedicated to vaccines. Every day, the company invests more than EUR 1 million in research and development.
