India develops meningitis serum for African cuntries

New Delhi, May 19 (UNI) The Serum Institute at Pune is developing the first conjugate meningitis vaccine for Africa to protect the people of the continent from meningococcal disease, the Lok Sabha was told today.

This will be useful for sub-Saharan Africa as its meningitis belt stretches from Ethiopia to Gambia and Senegal, Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal said in a written reply.

The serum will require a total investment of about Rs 60-70 crore to be incurred by the Pune Institute. The vaccine will also be helpful to Haj victims, the Minister said, adding the likely cost of the said vaccine will be about Rs 18 per dose.

The vaccine is likely to be released by the year 2008, Mr Sibal added.

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