Stability of heat stable, live attenuated Rotavirus vaccine (ROTASIIL®).

Vaccines currently available across the globe are stored and transported in a continuous cold-chain at 2-8°C or below -20°C. A temperature excursion outside this range affects the potency of the vaccines. Such vaccines need to be discarded leading wastage. The Rotavirus disease burden is predominantly reported in developing and low-income countries and therefore, has entered or poised to enter their national immunization programs. These countries already have several limitations for effective storage, maintenance and distribution of vaccines in a cold-chain and this introduction is expected to further stress this fragile ecosystem. To help mitigate the cold chain related issues, SIIPL has developed a thermostable rotavirus vaccine ROTASIIL® which can be stored at a temperature below 25°C for 36months, completely by-passing the standard 2-8°C cold storages. In addition it has the capability to withstand temperatures of 37°C and 40°C for 18months and short term exposure to 55°C. It can also tolerate a temperature shock of being thawed from an extreme cold temperature of -20°C to a high temperature of 42°C. The vaccine contains serotypes G1, G2, G3, G4 and G9 (UK-Bovine reassortant strains procured from National Institute of Health-USA). The vaccine is recently licensed in India.

Bovine rotavirus pentavalent vaccine development in India.

A bovine rotavirus pentavalent vaccine (BRV-PV) containing rotavirus human-bovine (UK) reassortant strains of serotype G1, G2, G3, G4 and G9 has been developed by the Serum Institute of India Ltd, in collaboration with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), USA. The vaccine underwent animal toxicity studies and Phase I and II studies in adults, toddlers and infants. It has been found safe and immunogenic and will undergo a large Phase III study to assess efficacy against severe rotavirus gastroenteritis.