Publication:

Introduction of newer vaccines in national immunization programme in India: a challenge

Immunization significantly reduces the incidence of communicable diseases in children and improves the quality of life of children. Many developing countries including India, is lagging behind in sufficient coverage of routine immunization among children. Currently, India manufactures about 43% of the global vaccines. Newer vaccine research can be promoted only when there is conducive environment, funding and subsequent chances of vaccine being introduced in the universal immunization programme (UIP).  Government of India has a National Vaccine Policy which was developed after the recommendations made by National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization.This policy addresses the issues to streamline the process on new and underutilized vaccine and also suggests to strengthen the institutional framework, processes, evidence base and framework required for decision making for strengthening of UIP in India. Government of India laid some standard guidelines and few criteria for the introduction of new vaccine in UIP. While planning to introduce a newer vaccine, cost effectiveness of the vaccination program should be kept in mind.