New vaccine launched to protect against Tetanus and Diphtheria at CRI in Kasauli

Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare JP Nadda on Saturday launched the Tetanus and Adult Diphtheria (Td) vaccine at the Central Research Institute (CRI), Kasauli.

Extensive scientific evidence indicates that widespread childhood immunisation with DPT vaccines has significantly reduced the incidence of diphtheria and tetanus in many countries. However, antibody levels — particularly for diphtheria — tend to decline over time, necessitating booster doses.

In view of this, the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2006 recommended that countries transition from the Tetanus Toxoid (TT) vaccine to the Td vaccine. This recommendation was reaffirmed in the WHO Tetanus Vaccine Position Paper (2017) and through deliberations of the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) in 2002 and 2016.

Terming the launch a major step in safeguarding the nation’s health, Nadda said the rollout of a domestically manufactured vaccine marks a key achievement in attaining self-sufficiency in vaccine and drug manufacturing in India.

“The nation is credited with the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP), which is the world’s largest vaccination programme, providing 12 vaccines and safeguarding against 11 diseases,” he said while addressing the gathering.

The CRI would contribute 55 lakh doses of the Td vaccine to the UIP this year.

“India is the leading vaccine manufacturer in the world. We stand at WHO Maturity Level 3 (ML3), signifying that the country’s national regulatory authority for medical products is stable, well-functioning, and integrated,” he added.

Nadda criticised the lax policy framework of previous governments, stating that certain vaccines took decades to reach India.

He said the tetanus vaccine took 25–28 years, the tuberculosis vaccine took 30 years, and the diphtheria vaccine also faced significant delays. Referring to the Japanese Encephalitis vaccine, he noted that although it was launched globally in 1906, it reached India only in 2006.

Aligning the achievement with the Union government’s vision of Viksit Bharat, he highlighted the rapid rollout of Covid-19 vaccines within nine months, including two indigenous vaccines developed in record time.

“We administered 220 crore vaccine doses, including booster doses, within a record timeframe, transforming India’s vaccination capacity,” he said.

He also lauded the Digital India initiative for enabling online vaccination certificates, contrasting it with paper-based systems still in use in countries like the United States.

“India supplied Covid-19 vaccines to 100 nations, of which 48 received them free of cost, demonstrating the country’s global commitment and capability,” he added.

He appreciated the contribution of the Pasteur Institute of India, HLL Biotech, Chengalpattu, and Indian Immunologicals Limited, Hyderabad, in the vaccine rollout.

CRI Director Dr Dimple Kasana also elaborated on the institute’s recent developments on the occasion.