Serum Institute of India (SII), recognized worldwide as a leading vaccine manufacturer, has entered into a significant partnership with the University of Oxford to help combat Rift Valley fever, a mosquito-borne disease now causing serious outbreaks in Senegal and Mauritania. The agreement aims to create a large reserve of Oxford’s investigational vaccine for Rift Valley fever, known as ChAdOx1 RVF, in preparation for possible clinical trials and emergency responses.
Supported by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), SII will be responsible for producing up to 100,000 doses of the ChAdOx1 RVF vaccine. Plans include using an initial batch of 10,000 doses in a clinical trial to assess the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness, specifically in areas affected by recent outbreaks. The remaining doses will be kept as an investigational reserve, ready to support further clinical tests in the event of future outbreaks around the world.
This collaboration represents an important step forward in responding quickly to infectious disease threats. SII achieved a notable production milestone by filling and labeling 12,000 vials of the vaccine just 16 days after receiving the necessary ingredients, demonstrating the company’s capacity for rapid manufacturing.
The urgent need for a Rift Valley fever vaccine has grown in response to the disease’s impact in West Africa. By acting quickly, SII and Oxford University hope to provide crucial tools for researchers and healthcare workers.
While this partnership focuses on developing and preparing vaccines, it is also part of broader global efforts supported by organizations like CEPI, which are working to improve access to new vaccines and strengthen preparedness against future pandemics. The initiative is expected to help generate key scientific evidence and accelerate emergency responses if the disease spreads further.
