GSK will discontinue supply of Infanrix IPV

Raises concerns on lack of pediatric vaccines

Unable to import additional supply due to low demand...stock will run out next January

Vaccination will be concentrated around its alternative, Tetraxim…will the past vaccination crisis be reenacted?   

GlaxoSmithKline has decided to discontinue supply of its ‘Infanrix IPV’ vaccine, which protects against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and polio in children, in South Korea.

 

Infanrix IPV and Sanofi Pasteur's ‘Tetraxim’ are the only DTaP-IPV vaccines used in the National Immunization Program (NIP), raising concerns about the shortage of vaccines and the shortage of vaccinations that will follow.

 

GSK reported to the MFDS that it will discontinue the supply of Infanrix IPV Prefilled Syringe as of July 1.

 

The reason for the suspension is low domestic demand.

 

The company said, "It is difficult to import additional supply, and it will not be possible for the company to participate in future NIPs after the stock is exhausted.

 

The remaining stock is expected to run out in January next year.

 

In fact, sales of Infanrix IPV on IQVIA last year were not captured.

 

Tetraxim, on the other hand, generated sales of $3.1 billion.

 

The vaccine is used to prevent diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), and polio in infants and children from 2 months of age.

 

It is administered as 3 intramuscular injections of 0.5 mL at 2, 4, and 6 months of age, followed by a booster dose of 0.5 mL at 4 to 6 years of age.

 

Infanrix IPV has experienced pediatric immunization shortages in the past.

 

In 2016, the global DTaP vaccine shortage disrupted pediatric immunizations due to domestic supply disruptions.

 

In 2016, a global shortage of the DTaP vaccine disrupted pediatric immunization schedules, and when the domestic supply of Infanrix IPV was temporarily suspended, Tetraxim’s stock also ran out due to high demand.

 

In 2021, GSK’s vaccine was also suspended due to a paperwork error, and the MFDS allowed cross-immunization with an alternative vaccine.

 

Such history suggests that the discontinuation of Infanrix IPV in the Korean market will inevitably cause disruptions on-site.

 

A fundamental solution for this is localizing pediatric vaccines.

 

Recently, LG Chem has begun localizing a hexavalent combination vaccine for infants and young children, but it will take time for the product to be commercialized in Korea.

 

An industry official said, “Vaccines for nationally mandated vaccinations such as DTaP are entirely imported from foreign countries.

 

Localization of vaccines required for nationally mandated vaccinations is urgently needed to protect people's health and improve national competitivity as seen during the COVID-19 crisis." .