Bharat Biotech Launches New Oral Cholera Vaccine HILLCHOL®
Bharat Biotech International has introduced a new oral cholera vaccine called HILLCHOL®. This vaccine was developed under license from Hilleman Laboratories, which is funded by Merck, US, and Wellcome Trust, UK. The aim is to combat cholera and address the global shortage of cholera vaccines.
Currently, only one manufacturer supplies such vaccines worldwide, leading to a yearly deficit of 40 million doses. To help solve this problem, Bharat Biotech has set up large-scale manufacturing facilities in Hyderabad and Bhubaneswar, capable of producing up to 200 million doses of HILLCHOL® annually.
Cholera is a preventable and treatable disease, but global cases and deaths have been rising since 2021. From early 2023 to March, there were 824,479 cases and 5,900 deaths reported in 31 countries. Cholera spreads mainly through the contamination of water and food supplies, especially in areas affected by natural disasters or with poor access to clean water.
HILLCHOL® is administered orally on Day 0 and Day 14 and is suitable for individuals older than one year. It is presented as a single-dose respule and should be stored between +2°C and +8°C. This vaccine is one of the first to be presented in a mono-multidose format.
Krishna Ella, Executive Chairman of Bharat Biotech, stated, “Vaccines provide the best intervention to prevent, limit, and control cholera outbreaks. HILLCHOL® is an excellent success story of partnership leading to public health solutions.” He also mentioned that the new production facilities in Hyderabad and Bhubaneswar will significantly enhance the production and supply capabilities for this oral cholera vaccine.
The launch of HILLCHOL® is the result of extensive international collaboration involving Hilleman Laboratories, Bharat Biotech, the University of Gothenburg, and Gotovax AB.
Doubts Revealed
Bharat Biotech -: Bharat Biotech is an Indian company that makes medicines and vaccines to help people stay healthy.
Oral Cholera Vaccine -: An oral cholera vaccine is a medicine you drink to protect yourself from cholera, a disease that can make you very sick with diarrhea.
HILLCHOL® -: HILLCHOL® is the name of the new cholera vaccine that you drink, made by Bharat Biotech.
Hilleman Laboratories -: Hilleman Laboratories is a place where scientists work to create new vaccines and medicines to fight diseases.
Hyderabad -: Hyderabad is a big city in India where Bharat Biotech has one of its factories to make vaccines.
Bhubaneswar -: Bhubaneswar is another city in India where Bharat Biotech has another factory to make vaccines.
200 million doses -: 200 million doses means Bharat Biotech can make 200 million small amounts of the vaccine each year to help many people.
Cholera -: Cholera is a disease that can cause severe diarrhea and can be very dangerous if not treated.
824,479 cases -: 824,479 cases means that many people got sick with cholera in 31 countries from early 2023 to March.
5,900 deaths -: 5,900 deaths means that many people died from cholera in 31 countries from early 2023 to March.
Administered orally -: Administered orally means you take the vaccine by drinking it, not by getting a shot.
Older than one year -: Older than one year means the vaccine can be given to anyone who is more than one year old.
