Our Correspondent
KOHIMA, OCTOBER 28
The Pentavalent vaccine was officially launched in the State today by Minister of Health & Family Welfare, P. Longon at Naga Hospital Authority, Kohima (NHAK). The vaccine, which will be subsequently introduced in all the eleven districts, will become a routine immunization programme across the country.
Pentavalent vaccine provides protection to a child against five life-threatening diseases, namely, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Hepatitis B and Hemophilus Influenza type B (Hib).
Delivering the keynote address during the launching programme, Dr. Sukhato A. Sema, Mission Director, NHM, said pentavalent is a combination of Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus (DPT), Hepatitis B and Hib vaccine. He informed that DPT and Hep B are already part of the routine immunization in India, while Hib vaccine is a new addition.
The vaccine, which is part of the national immunization programme, was first introduced in Kerala and Tamil Nadu in December, 2011. The vaccine was then subsequently introduced in late 2012 and early 2013 is a phased-wise manner in six other states and union territories including Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka and Pondicherry.
“The introduction of pentavalent vaccine is a positive reinforcement for the State in strengthening our already existing system,” Dr. Sukhato said adding that the vaccine is the most preferred formulation in most countries.
Sharing about Hib vaccine, he stressed on its prevention in order to avoid risk of antibiotic resistance and residual disability. He went on to say that prevention of Hib disease is better than treatment.
“Let’s make this programme a success by actively participating and making our routine immunization stronger with a vision of completely vaccinating each child and thereby improving our indicator and also making sure that not a single child is left unimmunized,” he urged.
Ensure that no child is denied vaccine, health workers told
Formally launching the pentavalent vaccine as a routine immunization programme in the State today, Minister of Health & Family Welfare, P. Longon urged the health workers to ensure that every eligible child receives the benefit of this new vaccine.
“The pentavalent vaccine offers the ‘force of five in one’ injection which will now be a part of the government immunization programme available for every infant free of cost. Let us ensure that no child is denied any vaccine and work towards providing a healthy future for our children,” the Minister said during the launching programme at NHAK today.
“The introduction of any new vaccine provides an opportunity to strengthen the existing health systems and improve the reach of services to the disadvantaged populations,” Longon said.
The minister said that the department concerned had conducted special intensified immunization drives that paid particular attention to areas where coverage is low. The initiative has also put more focus on communication and awareness programmes to help the public understand the importance of immunization.
It is worth mentioning that India has achieved impressive milestones through the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) and it continues with the effort to achieve comprehensive immunization coverage in the country.
Under this programme, significant achievements have been made in preventing and controlling vaccine-preventable diseases. In the effort to maximize the benefits of the immunization programme to the community, various strategies have been introduced in the past few years, thereby making it one of the most dynamic and vigorous health programmes.
Advantages
• Provides protection against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, hepatitis B and Hib.
• It reduces injection pricks from 6 to 3 children.
• Provides additional protection against Hib, thus addressing under-5 morbidity and mortality.
• Ensure better logistics.
• Fewer requirements for vaccine vials and cold chain space.
• Good acceptance among beneficiaries.
• Single injection ensures vaccination against 5 antigens.
‘Pentavalent vaccine’ in a nutshell
A pentavalent vaccine is five individual vaccines conjugated in one intended to actively protect infant children from 5 potentially deadly diseases: Haemophilus Influenza type B (the bacteria that causes meningitis, pneumonia and otitis), Whooping Cough (or Pertussis), Tetanus, Hepatitis B and Diphtheria.
During studies and tests, the conjugated liquid DTPw-HepB-Hib vaccine was found to have positive safety when administered as a booster to toddlers who have been given a vaccination course with another pentavalent booster that requires a change in constitution and was also found to be adequately immunogenic.
