Pleased to introduce you to the pentavalent vaccine!

Learn more about the pentavalent vaccine this World Hepatitis Day

July 28 is recognized internationally as World Hepatitis Day, to raise awareness of the global concern of viral hepatitis. Hepatitis strains cause an average of 1.34 million deaths and there are over 300 million people living with viral hepatitis, who may not be aware that they even carry a hepatitis strain.

Immunization continues to be a key element in UNICEF’s agenda.

As part of our mandate for ‘every child alive’ UNICEF works closely with partner organizations and manufacturers to produce and distribute the pentavalent vaccine – which helps protect against five common diseases, including hepatitis B – to the most vulnerable children.

What is the Pentavalent Vaccine?

As its name suggests, pentavalent is a single vaccine that protects against five diseases — ideal because it cuts down on both cold storage space and routine immunization appointments for children. Thanks to innovations in the pentavalent vaccine over the past several years, it is now easier to administer than ever.

Give a Vaccine Pack today to reach 61 children with life-saving immunization

Manufacturing a vaccine like the pentavalent that contains five antigens — substances that stimulate the body to produce antibodies — is especially complex. The antigens protecting children against hepatitis B, pertussis, diphtheria, tetanus and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) are produced separately and then combined. For a long time, the hurdle to producing pentavalent in large quantities lay in the difficulty in mixing the antigens together.

“When UNICEF told us that fully liquid pentavalent vaccine was the way forward, we took note. Making a vaccine is not a decision you take lightly. You commit many years before the first vaccine comes off the production line,” says one of UNICEF’s pentavalent vaccine suppliers about their decision to start manufacturing the product.

The History of UNICEF's Role in Providing Vaccines for Children

As one of the world’s largest buyers of vaccines for children, UNICEF plays an important role in influencing vaccine markets. In 2016, the agency procured 2.5 billion doses of vaccine for 45 per cent of the world’s children under 5 years old.

Until 2006, just one manufacturer produced WHO pre-qualified pentavalent vaccines, priced at over $3.50 a shot. Vaccines procured by UN agencies require pre-qualification: an assessment by WHO of the quality, efficacy and safety of a vaccine. A second pre-qualified manufacturer entered the market in 2006, with others following suit.

This resulted in increased production capacity and competition among suppliers, contributing to a reduction in the vaccines’ price.

Manufacturers took several years to recognize the opportunity and master the technology required to produce pentavalent vaccines. In 2016, with a broad base of manufacturers available, UNICEF took advantage of the competitive market by holding several rounds of bidding for large contracts. The agency struck a deal with six manufacturers to provide three years’ worth of pentavalent vaccines at an average price of $0.84 a dose, making it more affordable.

Thanks to the agreement, between 2017 and 2019, UNICEF will buy 523 million doses of pentavalent to vaccinate children in 83 countries. It was the culmination of an 18-year-long process led by UNICEF, the GAVI, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, other partners and the vaccine manufacturing industry, to make pentavalent vaccines available to children across the globe.

Vaccine Logistics: The Challenge of the "Cold Chain"

However, for high quality vaccines to reach children around the world, it’s not enough to produce them without addressing the logistics to make sure they reach their destination. The rule is that vaccines need to be kept between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius up to the point of delivery, or they lose their ability to protect against diseases. In countries faced with emergency crises, poor roads, unreliable electricity and high temperatures, it is a daunting challenge.

Today, some of the most vulnerable children have access to the life-saving vaccine. This is thanks to years of work to develop manufacturing capacity, market conditions and logistical solutions to bring affordable access to quality vaccines to children, no matter where they live.

You can reach 61 children with vaccines today with the purchase of a UNICEF Vaccines Pack: