GSK Confirms Rotavirus Vaccine Shortage, Hits Four African Countries
- After disruptions at GSK plc , supplies of rotavirus infection vaccine in children have either run out in Kenya, Tanzania, Senegal, and Cameroon or are close, Reuters reported citing officials close to the roll-out.
- According to the World Health Organization, up to 200,000 children die each year of contagious infection.
- The infection causes severe, dehydrating gastroenteritis in children under five years.
- GSK confirmed a shortfall of around 4 million doses of its Rotarix vaccine in 2022, dropping 42 million from an expected 46 million.
- GSK acknowledged the fall in supply and said it was pursuing plans to address the deficit.
- The company had already cut its agreed deliveries by 10 million a year for 2022-2028, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, said.
- "GSK communicated to Gavi earlier this year on manufacturing challenges leading to an unplanned, short-term drop in Rotarix production for 2022, for which priority mitigation plans are fully in place," a GSK spokesperson told Reuters.
- Gavi said there were also delays with another rotavirus vaccine, Rotavac, manufactured by Bharat Biotech, related to "regulatory procedures," although the problem is not as significant.
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