Health

WHO approves 3rd cholera vaccine producer

WHO approves 3rd cholera vaccine producer

By REUTERS

A displaced South Sudanese child receives an oral cholera vaccine in a camp for internally displaced people in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) compound in Tomping, Juba February 28, 2014. Photo: Reuters

GENEVA: A third producer of oral cholera vaccine has been approved that is expected to provide 3 million doses in 2016, the World Health Organisation said on Friday, doubling the world's stockpile against a disease that can kill within hours. EuBiologics, a South Korea-based producer, joins Shantha Biotechnics of Sanofi Pasteur as a pre-qualified supplier, WHO expert Stephen Martin told a news briefing. The third producer, which currently does not have doses in the stockpile, is Sweden's Crucell, he said. 'It has future potential in the next 3-4 years for a much greater increase in vaccine production,' he said. A vaccine campaign will begin in Haiti this month, targeting some 240,000 people, he added.