The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has signed an MoU with the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) for collaborating on vaccine research and development.

India will commit $5,00,000 (₹3.20 crore) annually for a stake in IVI— an amount approved during a Cabinet meeting in January.

Boost to medicine

The MoU was signed between Soumya Swaminathan, the Director General of ICMR and Secretary, Department of Health Research, Manoj Jhalani, Additional Secretary and managing director, National Health Mission, and IVI Director General Jerome H. Kim.

Successful project

IVI has been partnering with Indian vaccine manufacturers, research institutes, government, and public health agencies on vaccine development, research, and training. One of the most successful collaborations was with Shantha Biotech on the development of Shanchol, the world’s first low-cost oral cholera vaccine.

The vaccine was licensed in India in 2009 and WHO-prequalified in 2011.

Dr. Swaminathan said: “We have been working closely with IVI in India for more than a decade now. We are confident that this collaboration will elevate the vaccine R&D capacity at IVI as well as benefit Indian labs and the vaccine industry.”

Affordable vaccines

Dr. Kim said the MoU was a step towards providing affordable vaccines across the globe.

“India is a vaccine industry powerhouse that supplies 60% of the world’s vaccines. The signing of the MoU is a continuation of our partnership with India to provide safe, effective and affordable vaccines for people around the world,’’ he said.

Despite the National Green Tribunal’s orders on construction dust and open burning of waste, there is little compliance on the ground. Ashok Kumar talks to residents of the Millennium City who are getting fed up with the administration’s apathy in implementing rules that help can curb air pollution

Data reveal injuries were more common among children belonging to the age group of 1-5 years