Shimla: Union health minister J P Nadda on Saturday launched the domestically manufactured tetanus and adult diphtheria (Td) vaccine at the Central Research Institute (CRI), Kasauli, calling it a major step in safeguarding public health and achieving self-sufficiency in vaccine production.Addressing the gathering, Nadda highlighted India’s Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP), the world’s largest, which provides 12 vaccines protecting against 11 diseases.
The CRI is set to contribute 55 lakh doses of the Td vaccine to the UIP this year. Nadda emphasised that India, a global leader in vaccine manufacturing, attained WHO Maturity Level 3, indicating a stable and well-functioning national regulatory authority.Nadda noted that vaccines for tetanus, tuberculosis, and diphtheria took decades to reach India, citing the Japanese Encephalitis vaccine, which was launched globally in 1906, but arrived in India in 2006. He contrasted this with the rapid COVID-19 vaccine rollout, where India developed two indigenous vaccines and administered 220 crore doses within nine months, and supplied vaccines to over 100 nations.The Union minister also praised the ‘Digital India’ initiative for enabling online vaccination certificates and acknowledged contributions from various institutes.CRI director Dr Dimple Kasana, during the launch event, shared the institute’s recent achievements.MSID:: 128643886 413 |
