As many as 11 more States have requested the Centre to introduce the five-in-one pentavalent vaccine that is currently given under the universal immunization programme in eight states at present. But the shortage of vaccines has restrained the Centre from taking a favourable decision in this regard.

HIB (Haemophilus influenzae type B) containing pentavalent vaccine has been already introduced in the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka and Puducherry. The vaccination was first launched in December 2011 in Kerala and Tamil Nadu on a pilot basis and later it was extended to six more States.

“Certain states like Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and West Bengal have requested the Government to introduce pentavalent vaccine under the Expanded Programme of Immunization (EPI) in their States. Decision will depend on availability of resources,” a senior official of the Health Ministry informed.

The decision on further expanding the vaccine use will be taken depending on the availability of the same. As per the existing policy, orders are first placed on the public sector vaccine institutes for the vaccines (DPT, TT & BCG) being produced by them. The quantities of vaccines, which are ordered to them, are as per their capacity. The balance requirement is procured from private manufacturers through tender process at competitive rates.

Apart from the ongoing revival of the public sector vaccine manufacturing units, the Government is looking forward to the Integrated Vaccine Complex that is coming up near Chennai, to meet the demand for the pentavalent vaccine.

The vaccine protects children against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus (DPT), Hepatitis B and HIB through a single shot. This made India the 117th country to introduce the pentavalent vaccine in its national immunization programme.

The centre also turned down criticism about the safety and efficacy of the vaccine as each batch was tested before release to the States. First in house testing by manufacturer and thereafter tested and cleared by Central Drug Laboratory (CDL) Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh. Adverse events following immunization (AEFI) is also monitored and investigated by district/state/national AEFI committees to track all kinds of adverse events that may occur following vaccination, whether related or unrelated to ensure safety.