Prevention

Introduction to Vaccines Produced by Biosun Pharmed

Vaccination

Vaccination is an initiative that prevents many dangerous and costly infectious diseases at a minimal cost. Vaccines are made from weakened live bacteria or viruses, inactivated forms, or specific components thereof (such as purified surface antigens or toxoids). Following administration, the body’s immune system produces antibodies against the target pathogen(s), resulting in immunity. Aside from the provision of safe drinking water, vaccination has had the greatest impact on reducing mortality rates (especially child mortality) and increasing population growth.

Currently, all children in the country are vaccinated against tuberculosis, hepatitis B, polio, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), measles, rubella, and mumps. Measles and congenital rubella are in the elimination phase. For 15 years, the country has been polio-free, neonatal tetanus has been eliminated, and diphtheria, pertussis, and mumps have been controlled. The prevalence of chronic hepatitis B carriers has decreased from over 3% in 1991 to less than 2%.

Pentavalent Vaccine

The five-in-one (Pentavalent) vaccine protects children against five life-threatening diseases: Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Hepatitis B, and Haemophilus Influenzae Type B. Although vaccines for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and hepatitis B were already part of the routine immunization schedule (administered at 2, 4, and 6 months of age), Hib has been added as the fifth vaccine in this group.

With the introduction of the Pentavalent vaccine into the national immunization program, only a single injection is required during these months (2, 4, and 6). Consequently, by adding a new vaccine while reducing the total number of injections, vaccination coverage and compliance have increased.

Cervical Cancer Vaccine

According to the latest national statistics, cancer is the third leading cause of death at 9.4%, following cardiovascular diseases (33.4%) and accidents, poisonings, and suicides (13.4%). Each year, approximately 100,000 people in the country are diagnosed with cancer. Cancer research plays a fundamental role in national cancer control planning. Given the heavy costs of treating cancer in advanced stages, investing in cancer research is highly cost-effective from an economic perspective.

Globally, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women and the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death among them. The vaccine approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) was developed in 2006 and has been part of national vaccination schedules in European and American countries since then. Consequently, the prevalence of cervical cancer in those regions has decreased significantly.

However, statistics show that cervical cancer remains the second most common cancer among women in developing countries. This vaccine, approved in 120 countries, is nearly 100% effective against four different types of Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Cervical infection can be transmitted from mother to child; half of the infants born to infected mothers are carriers of the virus. Currently, this vaccine is available in Iran, but due to its high price, it is not accessible to everyone. The optimal time for HPV vaccination is between the ages of 9 and 13. The vaccine protects women against two critical strains of this virus. Making it mandatory in the national schedule could prevent 65% to 75% of cervical cancers. Given the country’s young population and the need for vaccination, the production of this vaccine was placed on the agenda of Biosun Pharmed. Currently, the upstream processes for HPV vaccine production have been designed, and the downstream processes are in the design phase.