Combination vaccine vs 5 childhood diseases launched

MANILA, Philippines – Swiss research-based healthcare company Novartis has launched its combination vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenzae type B infection — five diseases that cause severe sickness and death in children worldwide.

The Novartis pentavalent vaccine is the first internationally available fully liquid vaccine against these important childhood diseases, offering a major advantage in terms of convenience of use.

“Because they provide protection against more than one disease with a single injection, combination vaccines give patients the additional benefits of convenience and cost savings. With fully liquid combination vaccines, children experience less pain and distress. All these promote compliance which, in turn, results in timely immunization and increased and assured protection,” said infectious disease specialist Dr. Lulu Bravo, vice chancellor and executive director of the National Institutes of Health.

Bravo was one of four health experts who spoke during a press conference organized by Novartis Healthcare Philippines at the Diamond Hotel in Manila to kick off the country’s celebration of the first World Meningitis Day (WMD), which is observed on April 25 every year.

The WMD aims to raise awareness on the devastating effects of meningitis and the importance of prevention through vaccination.

“Haemophilus influenzae type B or Hib is a type of bacteria that causes serious sickness in some three million people and an estimated 386,000 deaths per year worldwide, mainly through pneumonia and meningitis. Almost all victims are children under the age of five, with those between four and 18 months most at risk,” said Dr. Eric Tayag, head of the National Epidemiology Center of the Department of Health and president of the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination.

“Hib meningitis is an infant killer, and leaves 15 to 35 percent of survivors with permanent disabilities such as mental retardation or deafness,” said Dr. May Montellano, president of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society of the Philippines.

“While the incidence of Hib meningitis in developed countries has fallen drastically due to vaccination, Hib meningitis incidence in the Philippines remains one of the highest in the region. This shows how important vaccination is in reducing disease burden,” Bravo said.

Combination vaccines are as effective and have the same safety profile as separately administered vaccines, according to Bravo. “The only difference is that combination vaccines provide more convenience, less pain, and bigger savings,” she added.

Dr. Antonio Ligsay, chief of the Research Management and Development Division of the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development under the Department of Science and Technology, underscored the value of research in discovering effective medicine and vaccines to treat and prevent diseases.

He lauded Novartis for working with the government in promoting research for public health in the country. 

Christine Liwanag, corporate affairs and market access director of Novartis Healthcare Philippines, urged Filipino parents to work closely with pediatricians in ensuring that their children follow the recommended immunization schedule.

“Novartis is committed to working with the government, the medical community and other stakeholders in our mission to provide effective medicine and vaccines to more Filipino patients,” Liwanag said.

“Combination vaccines represent a cost-effective weapon in our fight against vaccine-preventable diseases. They have the potential to substantially reduce the sickness and death caused by these diseases,” Bravo said.