25 June:In a bid to revamp the national immunisation programme, the Government will soon introduce new vaccines to protect children from diseases like bacterial pneumonia and meningitis.
The new vaccines for Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) and Pneumoccocal vaccine will be introduced on a pilot basis, sources in the health ministry said.
Officials also plan to accelerate measles control activities simultaneously.The decision of revamping the immunisation programme was taken at a meeting of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) on 16th June.
The Hib vaccine will be introduced in the form of a combination pentavalent vaccine along with DPT and Hepatitis B which will provide all five antigens in one injection, thereby decreasing the discomfort of multiple injections and ensuring greater injection safety to children.
In addition, the NTAGI has recommended introduction of Penumococcal vaccine which also protects children against certain pneumonias and meningitis.This vaccine will be introduced as a pilot in one state which has a high mortality and adequate cold chain capacity, sources said.
The NTAGI has also endorsed an expert group’s recommendation to accelerate measles control activities in the country as measles is another major killer with an estimated 1.5 lakh children dying due to the disease in India every year.
To protect children from measles, a second dose of measles vaccine as a combination of Rubella will be provided in the states having more than 80 per cent coverage with first dose of measles vaccine.
In states with less than 80 per cent coverage, one-time measles vaccination campaign will be conducted for children upto 10 years.However in Uttar Pradesh where polio eradication activities are carried on in campaign mode, a strategy of convergence will be worked out in consultation with the state government.
Additionally, a one-time campaign for Rubella vaccine will be organised for adolescent girls in the states where MR vaccine is introduced.This will reduce incidents of Congenital Rubella Syndrome in the country. Courtsey : DD NEWS