India’s Union Health Secretary visited the Bilthoven Biologicals, Netherlands manufacturing unit as part of a trip focused on strengthening India’s vaccine production capabilities. A press release on this visit was issued on April 24, 2024.
Meeting with Bilthoven Biologicals centered on:
- EU pandemic preparedness partnership.
- Collaboration on vaccine production, particularly Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV).
Bilthoven Biologicals is owned by Serum Institute of India since 2012. It manufactures various vaccines, including polio, diphtheria-tetanus-polio, and BCG. It has recent collaborated with Bharat Biotech for increased OPV production.
The Indian government seeks to collaborate with Bilthoven Biologicals. Through this collaboration it aims to enhance OPV production capacity. It also seeks to contribute to global vaccine security.
India’s Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) plays a vital role in protecting children from vaccine-preventable diseases, including polio. Maintaining a polio-free status requires sustained OPV supply for national and sub-national immunization rounds.
