TEHRAN – The director of the Pasteur Institute says Iran has succeeded to produce high quality tuberculosis vaccine in a modern way.  

 

“Tuberculosis vaccine or BCG (Bacille Calmette Guerin) has been produced by the Pasteur Institute in a modern way and is now being sold in the domestic market,” Dr. Mostafa Qanei told the Far news agency.

 

The production of the vaccine is currently 5 to 6 million doses and the domestic need is 5 to 6 million doses in a year which is used for vaccination of babies, he explained. 

 

“The production of the vaccine and its endorsement by the World Health Organization is an indication of Iran’s capability in producing high quality vaccines in the world,” he noted.

 

Qanei said with a permission of WHO Iran is ready to raise its production to 20 million doses for export to regional countries from the next Iranian year, which begins on March 21, 2013.

 

He said every country needs the permission of WHO for export of vaccines and Iran has delivered documents to the international body for receiving the license for export of BCG. 

 

BCG is the only vaccine available today for protection against tuberculosis. It is most effective in protecting children from the disease.