Thu Nov 20 19:16:27 UTC 2025: ## Biological E.’s Pneumococcal Vaccine Receives WHO Pre-Qualification

HYDERABAD, November 21, 2025 (The Hindu e-Paper) – Indian vaccine manufacturer Biological E. announced that its 14-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, Pneubevax 14 (BE-PCV-14), has been granted pre-qualification status by the World Health Organization (WHO). This significant milestone paves the way for the vaccine to be distributed more widely through global immunization programs.

According to Biological E., the WHO pre-qualification will improve access to high-quality pneumococcal vaccines, particularly for children who are most vulnerable to infection. The vaccine, designed to protect against invasive pneumococcal diseases, targets 14 different streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes, including strains 22F and 33F, which are not covered by some other PCVs.

“We remain committed to supporting public health partners in delivering affordable, reliable vaccines across India and around the world,” stated Mahima Datla, Managing Director of Biological E., in a press release. BE-PCV-14 is the company’s 11th vaccine to receive WHO pre-qualification.

The vaccine is administered to infants starting at six weeks of age and is intended to provide protection against serious illnesses such as pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis as part of the standard vaccination schedule. Clinical trials have demonstrated the vaccine’s strong safety profile and its ability to generate robust, serotype-specific immune responses against all 14 targeted strains.

The WHO’s pre-qualification of BE-PCV-14 represents a major step forward in the global fight against pneumococcal diseases.

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