Thermostable vaccine for childhood vaccination, United Kingdom, 2007

Box of 5 unlabelled vials with detached labels, of early samples of thermostable pentavalent (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, 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 have developed a vaccine that can withstand extreme temperatures. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that half of vaccines produced become useless 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. The new, thermostable vaccine protects against diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, hepatitis B and HIB.