Typhoid vaccine effective in children, finds ICMR study

New Delhi, January 15

A study shared by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) says the children vaccinated with typhoid conjugate vaccine (TCV) are less likely to get typhoid.

“Findings underscores the impact of vaccines in fighting typhoid. Our findings support the use of TCV mass vaccination campaigns as effective population-based tools to combat typhoid fever. The typhoid conjugate vaccine campaign across six hospitals in Navi Mumbai showed 56 per cent reduction in cases amongst children aged nine months to 14 years,” the ICMR said.

The WHO recommends vaccines for prevention and control of typhoid fever. In 2018, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) implemented a typhoid conjugate vaccine campaign. The campaign targeted all children aged nine months to 14 years.

The first phase of the vaccine mass vaccination campaign occurred over the course of six weeks between July 14, 2018 and August 25, 2018 and each child received one dose of Typbar-TCV, claimed to be the world’s first clinically proven typhoid conjugate vaccine made by Bharat Biotech. At the time of vaccination, each family received a TCV vaccination card to keep as a part of their medical record

The study says that the TCV can safely be coadministered with other routine vaccines without increased adverse events.