Question : IMPORT OF TISSUE CULTURE VACCINE FOR JAPANESE ENCEPHALITIS

(a) whether the Government has signed any agreement with China for the import of tissue culture vaccine for prevention of Japanese encephalitis as reported in the `Rashtriya Sahara` dated November 17,2005 ;

(b) if so, whether the successful test of vaccine has been conducted with the cooperation of the Indian Council of Medical Research and the World Health Organisation;

(c) if so, the details thereof;

(d) the total amount likely to be spent on the purchase of the vaccine;

(e) whether the Government proposes to develop such vaccines in the country it self; and

(f) if so, the details therof?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE ( SMT. PANABAKA LAKSHMI)

(a) No, Sir.

(b) & ( c): The Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety(GACVS), an expert clinical and scientific advisory body reporting to World Health Organization(WHO), reviewed all the recent data on the safety profile of the live attenuated SA 14-14-2 Japanese Encephalitis(JE) vaccine. The committee acknowledged the excellent safety and efficacy profile of this vaccine.

(d): Total amount likely to be spent on purchase of this vaccine in coming five years is estimated to be about Rs.85 crores.

(e) & (f): Central Research Institute (CRI), Kasauli is in the process of adopting the Indian Seed strain & Technology that is being provided by National Institute of Virology (NIV) Pune to develop a Tissue Culture JE Vaccine. Panacea Biotech Ltd has collaborated with National Institute of Immunology, Delhi for development and production of Tissue Culture JE vaccine.