Pentavalent vaccine likely to be introduced in India soon

The Ministry is now looking at the vaccine availability,depending on which domestic tenders will be floated. The Ministry is also negotiating with the World Bank to get some funds for the scheme.

A single shot of the vaccine has antigens of five diseases —Diphtheria,Pertussis,Tetanus,Hepatitis B and HIB. Its introduction in India was recommended by the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) two years ago.

Later,last year,the Health Ministry decided to introduce it as an HIB vaccine so as to protect children against Haemophilus Influenza type B (HIB),the bacteria which causes illnesses like meningitis,pneumonia and septic arthritis.

Experts say introducing this vaccine would be an excellent move. “We fully endorse the introduction of HIB vaccine. Its procurement,however,might become a challenge,” said Dr M K Bhan,secretary,Department of Biotechnology.

So far,more than 130 countries have shifted to pentavalent vaccines,while India still uses tetravalent vaccines in its National Immunisation Programme.

The Health Ministry has planned to initially introduce the vaccine in 10 states —Tamil Nadu,Kerala,Karnataka,Maharashtra,Goa,West Bengal,Andhra Pradesh,Gujarat,Himachal Pradesh and Punjab. “Its supply may be a constraint. That’s why we have decided to introduce it in a phased manner. After covering these 10 states,the vaccine would be introduced all over the country,” Naresh Dayal,Health Secretary,said.

According to Dr Vinod Kumar Paul,professor and head of department of Paediatrics,All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS),20 per cent of under-five mortality is due to pneumonia and since HIB virus causes the disease,introducing the vaccine would be an important step towards wiping out the virus. “Introducing this would mean increasing the number of vaccines and protecting children against the deadly virus. It is a welcome effort,” Dr Paul said.