Human Biologicals Institute (HBI), a division of Indian Immunologicals celebrates its silver jubilee, 25 years since its establishment in 1998. HBI was created in an era where the need for indigenous vaccines is paramount and thus has contributed to a self-reliant India – “Atmanirbhar Bharat”. While celebrating the occasion of 25th year of HBI, IIL launched Mebella (Measles and Rubella) vaccine for children.
This live attenuated MR vaccine has been developed by IIL in an exclusive partnership with Polyvac Institute, Vietnam.
Upon request from Government of India, HBI indigenously developed Vero-cell rabies vaccine – Abhayrab in 1998, paving way for Government of India to phase out the painful nerve tissue vaccine. Today, reportedly Abhayrab is the largest selling anti-rabies vaccine in the world. Subsequently, several childhood vaccines such as DPT, Pentavalent Vaccine, TT, Hepatitis-B, MR, Td vaccines were introduced by HBI.
Speaking on this occasion, Dr K Anand Kumar, Managing Director, Indian Immunologicals, spoke about the significant contribution made by IIL to the nation, towards disease control and access to several lifesaving vaccines in its 25 years of existence. “IIL has now emerged as one of the largest suppliers of human vaccines to the UIP, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, saving many precious lives. IIL also exports quality vaccines to more than 50 countries across the globe.”
During the launch of Mebella (Measles and Rubella vaccine) today, he also expressed the need for control of deadly Measles and Rubella, that claims about 1,00,000 lives of children globally. He also pointed out that the company should be known for elimination, eradication of disease than the number of doses of vaccine it sells. To this extent IIL has taken up CSR activity to make Thiruvananthapuram district rabies free in a few years.