Thermostable vaccine for childhood vaccination

Box of 20 labelled vials, early samples of thermostable pentavalent (Diptheria, Tetanus, Pertusis, Hepatitis B & HIB) vaccine for paedriatric immunisation, developed to be stable and not to spoil in extreme heat and cold temperatures, made by Cambridge Biostability Limited, UK, 2007.

In a joint venture, the British company Cambridge Biostability Ltd and Indian partners Panacea Biotech developed a vaccine that can withstand extreme temperatures. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that half of vaccines produced become unuseable after being stored incorrectly. The new vaccine can withstand temperatures as high as 50ºC and as low as -50ºC. This removes the need for refrigeration, which saves money and means that the vaccines have an extended shelf life. This vaccine protects against diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, hepatitis B and HIB.