New,more effective polio vaccine on way

In a move that may help India combat both P1 and P3 polio viruses,the Union Health Ministry is going to introduce a new bivalent vaccine this month.

The first round of the bivalent vaccine will be administered to children in Bihar on January 10. The decision was taken after the India Expert Advisory Group (IEAG) on polio eradication made a recommendation to the Health Ministry last year. Trials have already been conducted on the new oral polio vaccine,which will subsequently be used in Uttar Pradesh and other endemic areas by April this year.

According to Health Ministry officials,the new vaccine is more effective. The introduction of this new vaccine will definitely be of great help as bivalent vaccine is seen to be superior than the trivalent vaccine, said a ministry official.

Story continues below this ad

While the IEAG has recommended that the monovalent (which provides protection against a single type of virus) vaccine remains the key tool for interrupting wild polio viruses and be maintained as the vaccine of choice for mop-up immunisation campaigns,it has advised the government to use the bivalent vaccine to complement its use.

The bivalent vaccine was recently used in polio immunisation campaigns in Afghanistan,where it proved 30 per cent more effective than the trivalent one.

Other than its efficacy,officials say,introducing the new vaccine would spare them the hassle of organising two different rounds for P1 and P3.

Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said the designation gives law enforcement “enhanced powers to combat a group that has instilled fear through violence and intimidation”.

Canada designates Lawrence Bishnoi gang a terrorist entity

Cities6 hr ago

The Canadian government has labeled the Lawrence Bishnoi gang as a terrorist group, granting authorities more authority to combat their violent behavior. The gang, operating in British Columbia, Ontario, and Alberta, has been connected to 50+ violent incidents since 2023.

View all shorts

Live Blog