In News:

• Recently, the Td vaccine was launched by Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda.
• Manufactured by the Central Research Institute (CRI), Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh.
• CRI functions under the Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
• The vaccine will be supplied under India’s Universal Immunization Programme (UIP).
• CRI plans to supply 55 lakh doses by April 2026, with progressive scaling in subsequent years.

Why the Shift from TT to Td?

• Extensive childhood immunization using DPT vaccines significantly reduced tetanus and diphtheria.
• However, diphtheria antibody levels decline over time, necessitating booster doses.
• In 2006, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended transitioning from Tetanus Toxoid (TT) to Td vaccine.
• Recommendation reaffirmed in:
  • WHO Tetanus Vaccine Position Paper (2017)
  • Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) deliberations (2002 & 2016)
• India’s National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) recommended replacing TT with Td for: All age groups and Pregnant women

Objective: Sustain maternal & neonatal tetanus elimination while expanding protection against diphtheria.

About Td Vaccine

• Full Form: Tetanus and adult Diphtheria Vaccine (Adsorbed, Reduced D-Antigen Content).
• Provides protection against: Tetanus and Diphtheria
• Composition:
  • Purified diphtheria toxoid
  • Purified tetanus toxoid
• Adjuvant: Aluminum phosphate
• Preservative: Thiomersal
• Storage: Freeze- and heat-sensitive vaccine
• Target group: Adolescents, Adults and Pregnant women

About Tetanus

• Caused by: Clostridium tetani (toxigenic strains).
• Nature: Acute infectious disease.
• Transmission: Not spread person-to-person (enters through contaminated wounds).
• Symptoms:
  • Painful muscle stiffness
  • Lockjaw (inability to open mouth)
  • Difficulty swallowing and breathing
• High case-fatality rate, even with intensive care.

About Diphtheria

• Caused by: Corynebacterium diphtheriae.
• Spread: Person-to-person via respiratory droplets.
• Symptoms:
  • Breathing difficulty
  • Heart failure
  • Paralysis
• Can be life-threatening.
• South-East Asia region has been a major contributor to global diphtheria incidence since 2005.

Regulatory and Manufacturing Milestones

The Central Research Institute:

• Completed developmental studies.
• Obtained Test License.
• Secured waivers for:
  • Preclinical studies
  • Phase I, II, and III trials.
• Received:
  • Marketing Authorization
  • License for manufacture and sale
  • Release approval from Central Drugs Laboratory, Kasauli.