Health Minister JP Nadda Launches Tetanus and Diphtheria Vaccine

Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, JP Nadda, will inaugurate the Tetanus and Adult Diphtheria (Td) vaccine on Saturday at the Central Research Institute (CRI) in Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh. This launch follows extensive scientific evidence demonstrating that widespread childhood immunisation with DPT vaccines has significantly reduced the incidence of diphtheria and tetanus in numerous countries. Despite this progress, antibody levels can decline over time, particularly for diphtheria, necessitating booster doses.

In 2006, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended a shift from the Tetanus Toxoid (TT) vaccine to the Td vaccine. This guidance was reaffirmed in the WHO Tetanus Vaccine Position Paper published in 2017 and during meetings of the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) in 2002 and 2016. The National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) in India has also advised this transition, advocating for the Td vaccine across all age groups, including pregnant women.

Vaccine Development and Impact

The transition aims to extend protection against both diphtheria and tetanus, while continuing efforts to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus alongside routine immunisation activities. To facilitate this initiative, the CRI has successfully developed and prepared the Td vaccine, completing developmental studies and receiving a Test License. The institute has also secured waivers for preclinical studies and Phase I, II, and III clinical trials, obtaining Marketing Authorization and a license for manufacturing and sale. Following these accomplishments, CRI has commenced commercial production and received release approval from the Central Drugs Laboratory in Kasauli.

The Td vaccine is now poised for launch, with plans for distribution through the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP). Following the inauguration by Minister Nadda, CRI will supply 5.5 million doses of the Td vaccine to the UIP by April 2026. There are expectations that supply will increase in subsequent years to further strengthen vaccination efforts.

Tetanus is a serious disease that can cause painful muscle stiffness and spasms, potentially leading to lockjaw, difficulty swallowing, respiratory issues, and even death. Diphtheria poses similar risks, being a life-threatening infection that can result in breathing complications, heart failure, paralysis, and death. The Td vaccine, which combines purified diphtheria toxoid and tetanus toxoid adsorbed onto aluminium phosphate, aims to enhance protection against these preventable diseases among adolescents and adults.

Strengthening Public Health Initiatives

Established in 1905, the Central Research Institute operates under the Directorate General of Health Services within the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. It plays a vital role in vaccine production aligned with the National Vaccine Policy, manufacturing vaccines and antisera to support the Universal Immunization Programme and other public health initiatives.

The launch of the Td vaccine is expected to bolster domestic manufacturing capacity, ensuring a sustained availability of quality-assured vaccines within the national programme. This initiative represents a significant step forward in public health, aiming to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with tetanus and diphtheria, ultimately improving health outcomes across the country.