The US-based Wyeth is planning to launch its blockbuster vaccine for pneumococcal diseases (PD) in India. Wyeth’s pneumococcal conjugate vaccine is claimed to be the first and only indicated vaccine for infants and young children up to two years of age to help prevent invasive pneumococcal disease.

Infants and children are at greatest risk for invasive pneumococcal disease as 25-60% of them are carriers of pneumococci in their throats. The risks of meningitis and bacteremia are greatest during the first two years of life. It is estimated that more than one million children below five die every year due to pneumococcal infections in developing countries alone. Wyeth’s Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine is already launched in 43 countries, and is a part of regular immunization schedule in 5 countries including US, Canada and Australia.

Pneumococcal disease is a group of illnesses caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae, also known as “Pneumococcus”. When these bacteria invade the body, they cause meningitis; bacterial pneumonia; bacteremia. They are also the cause of otitis media (middle ear infection) and sinusitis (sinus infection).

"The introduction of Wyeth’s Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine, which is the first and only one of its kind, in India will mark a significant advance in paediatric medicine, as it is the first effective vaccine for the prevention of serious pneumococcal disease in infants and young children," said Dr. Shilpa Patil, Medical Director, Wyeth Limited.