Now, a 4-in-1 vaccine from Shanta Biotech

Shantha Biotechnics Ltd on Friday announced the availability of 'Shantetra', a combination vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and hepatitis-B, claimed to be the first indigenously developed four-in-one immunity shot.

The DTPH vaccine, which protects children against the four life-threatening infections, is available in two presentations -- 0.5 ML and 5 ML -- and can be administered to infants from the sixth week onwards, Varaprasad Reddy, Shanta Biotech managing director said.

Shanta aims to expand its current vaccines portfolio by launching new generation vaccines in the near future keeping in view the global phenomenon of combination vaccines, which is catching up as it reduces the number of injections to be administered to the child, he said.

Company's executive director Khalil Ahmed said Shanta has a reputation of trusted vendor to the supra-national customers such as UNICEF and WHO and its new product 'Shantetra' would capitalize on its reputation built by the flagship product Shanvac-B.