CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu will introduce vaccines against pneumonia-causing hib bacterium shortly. This will be included in the 5-in-1 vaccine programme which will also include vaccines against four other childhood infectious diseases--diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus and hepatitis.The vaccine will be available free of cost for everyone through state immunisation programme. This will ensure that all children of the state get the vaccine against hib pneumonia irrespective of the family income of the parents. “The decision to use the pentavalent vaccine will benefit the children by increasing their chances of being fully immunised and result in tremendous logistical conveniences. With the number of vials reduced, since five vaccines are stored in a single vial, a lot of space will be freed up for storage and transportation. Also, a single auto-disable syringe will be used instead of three per child, thereby substantially reducing the plastic and sharp waste as well. It is also compatible with the routine immunisation schedule (it can be given at 6, 10, and 14 weeks),”said DrPadmanaban, Advisor, Public Health Administration, National Health Systems Resource Centre,National Rural Health Mission,Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Studies point out that pneumonia and meningitis are some of the leading causes of deaths in Indian children under five years. Each year, pneumonia claims over 1.5 million children under the age of five across the globe and 20% of these deaths occur in India.
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