Pakistan-First Country to introduce WHO approved India made Typhoid Vaccine

Pakistan becomes the first country to introduce WHO approved typhoid vaccine. The Vaccine is to be used in southern Sindh province as more than 10,000 cases of Typhoid were documented since 2017.

Highlights

• A four-week campaign will be conducted targeting 10 million children of age nine months to 15 years. The campaign is launched with the support of Geneva based Gavi Vaccine alliance. The Gavi Vaccine Alliance is backed by several global organization such as World Bank, WHO, UNICEF, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to lower vaccine costs for poor countries.
• In 2017 around 70% of deaths due to typhoid were among children. This is mainly because, Pakistan spends meagre amount of its national resources on public health
• Pakistan is suffering from drug-resistant typhoid fever since November 2016. The Salmonella Typhi bacteria that causes Typhoid is called a super-bug in the country as it has developed resistance towards old drugs.

Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine

The TCV was recommended by WHO in 2018 for infants and children over 6 months of age in typhoid-endemic countries. As compared to earlier vaccines, TCV provides long-lasting protection and requires fewer dosages.

The Vaccine is funded by the United Nations Children Fund (UNCF).

Typhoid

• Typhoid impacts young children in sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and Middle-East.
• In these regions, the disease if caused due to unsafe water and sanitation systems and inadequate drinking water.

India’s Contributions

Bharat Bio-Tech, an Indian Vaccines and Bio-therapeutics Manufacturer in 2018 received Pre-Qualification tag from WHO for the TPV. Through the tag, the firm gained access to global public vaccination programmes. In February 2019, the Pakistan Government approached the company through the GAVI alliance. Under this, Pakistan is now receiving the vaccines.

Month: Current Affairs - November, 2019