Context:

Recentluy, Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda has launched an indigenously developed Tetanus and Adult Diphtheria (Td) vaccine manufactured by the Central Research Institute (CRI), a historic public sector vaccine facility. The move strengthens India’s self-reliance in immunisation and is expected to significantly reduce costs under the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP).

About Tetanus and Diphtheria

Tetanus and diphtheria are severe, potentially fatal bacterial diseases preventable through vaccination (DTaP/Tdap/Td).

Tetanus (Lockjaw):

• • • Cause: Clostridium tetani bacteria found in soil, dust and manure.
    • Transmission: Enters through cuts or deep wounds; not spread person-to-person.
    • Symptoms: Painful muscle spasms beginning in the jaw (lockjaw), spreading to abdomen and limbs.
    • Complications: Breathing difficulty, fractures, death (~10% fatality rate).

Diphtheria:

• • • Cause: Corynebacterium diphtheriae.
    • Transmission: Highly contagious via respiratory droplets.
    • Symptoms: Thick gray membrane in throat (pseudomembrane), fever, swollen neck glands.
    • Complications: Breathing obstruction, heart failure, paralysis, death.
    • Vaccination has led to nearly 99% reduction in diphtheria cases globally.

Benefits indigenous vaccine development:

• • • Public Sector Manufacturing: Earlier, Td/TT vaccines were largely procured from private manufacturers. Production at CRI reduces procurement costs and dependence on private suppliers.
    • Economies of Scale: Bulk manufacturing for UIP lowers per-dose cost.
    • Reduced Import Dependence: Indigenous production minimizes foreign exchange outflow.
    • Strengthening Vaccine Security: Ensures uninterrupted supply for pregnant women and adolescents.
    • The Td vaccine replaces the older Tetanus Toxoid (TT) vaccine and provides dual protection against tetanus (caused by Clostridium tetani) and diphtheria (caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae), aligning India with WHO recommendations.

 About Vaccine Mechanism:

• • • Vaccines stimulate the immune system without causing the disease.
    • Antigen Introduction: A harmless pathogen component (antigen) is introduced.
    • Immune Response: The body produces antibodies against the antigen.
    • Memory Formation: B and T lymphocytes form memory cells.
    • Future Protection: On real infection, rapid immune response prevents severe disease.

Classification of Vaccines

Key Indian Immunisation Initiatives:

• • • Universal Immunisation Programme (1985): One of the world’s largest public health programmes providing free vaccines against 12 diseases including Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Polio, Measles, Rubella, TB, Hepatitis B and Hib.
    • Mission Indradhanush: Launched in 2014 to achieve 90% full immunisation coverage by targeting unvaccinated children and pregnant women.
    • U-WIN Portal: Digital platform for end-to-end tracking of vaccination of pregnant women and children.

Conclusion:

The launch of the indigenous Td vaccine not only strengthens India’s immunisation coverage but also demonstrates how public sector manufacturing can reduce costs while enhancing health security and Atmanirbhar Bharat objectives.