UNICEF clinches vaccine deal to protect children from five diseases

Reuters
The UNICEF logo is pictured on a building in Geneva November 17, 2009. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/Files

GENEVA (Reuters) - The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said on Wednesday it had reached an agreement with six vaccine suppliers to provide a combined vaccine against five deadly childhood diseases for half the price it currently pays. An estimated 5.7 million deaths a year could be averted under the deal to send 450 million doses to 80 countries between 2017-2020, the agency added. "We will be able to procure pentavalent vaccine to protect children ... for less than $1 a dose," Shanelle Hall, director of UNICEF's supply and procurement division, told a news briefing. The vaccine, a cornerstone of routine immunisation programmes, will protect children from five major infections in one shot: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenza type b known as Hib - a bacteria that causes meningitis, pneumonia and otitis. The six suppliers were named as: Biology E, Jenssen, LG Life Sciences <068870.KS>, Panacea Biotec Ltd , Serum Institute of India, and Shantha Biotechs. The deal, which took 16 years to reach, will bring down the average price to 85 cents a dose, half the amount that UNICEF currently pays, generating savings for donors and governments. It took time to expand a base of vaccine suppliers, which will reduce the risk of shortages, GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance said in a statement. GAVI and the Gates Foundation joined UNICEF in securing the multi-year suppliers' contract. (Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay; Editing by Andrew Heavens)