Essential low cost vaccines not available but India strives for newer fancy vaccines!

Dear All, This issue of Technet is clearly a well composed of the state of affairs in India. As Omesh aptly puts it "newer vaccines" (too early to call fancy) are making way while vaccines for killer diseases are not in stock. It's not a new phenomenon of running short of vaccines, vaccine carriers, ice packs, Deep freezers and other logistics. Every time a new Government is taken charge, they place new orders for vaccine and logistics. It appears to me that preventing dreaded diseases has become like a child's play. There are so many changes so frequently that no one can predict how things might turn up. Why cannot NRHM initiate an autonomous agency for procuring, sustaining and maintaining the quality (drugs) of vaccines and other logistics. On a related discussion,few years ago, I appreciate the bold decision taken by Tamilnadu state of rejecting AD syringes fearing that the there may not be continuous supply of them. At the same time, they didnt want to cripple their efficient system of using kerosene stoves for sterilizing. New Vaccines are fine but they dont cater to the needs of majority of Indian population mainly due to their cost. And perhaps for the same reason (non lucrativeness of vaccines for childhood diseases), people like Omesh may not get enough support from Industry. Omesh, your question can open Pandora's box. Meanwhile, it will be interesting to watch for opinions from esteemed members of Technet to comment upon. with regards Giridhara R Babu, MBBS, MPH PhD fellow, Department of Epidemiology, UCLA/ Public Health Foundation of India

Dear All, I am surprised at the development of introducing pentavalent in India while 56% of the children in India are not getting even basic vaccines and are left to suffer/ die due to the vaccine shortage. The push to introduce the newer vaccine and the so called subsidy atached to it by GAVI has blinded the fund-starved and advise-dependent governments, especially the so-called democratic governments. I hope China is all above this and may show a way ahead. Nobody is talking about bringing the essential vaccines to the doorsteps of the deprived 56% of the Indian population but everybody wants to load the 44% of the population who are having better coverage already, including Himachal. I remember that last year more than a dozen childeren died because of Pertusis in Manipur as they did not have any access to essential vaccines but nobody bothered? In some of the districts in North East the vaccine coverage is less than 10%. But it is sure that the routine immunization will suffer because of the added pressure of newer vaccines and their cost, especially when the GAVI funding will be withdrawn. Thanks and regards, Dr. Omesh Bharti M.B.B.S.,D.H.M.,M.A.E.(Epidemiology) Directorate of Health Services Himachal Pradesh +91-9418120302 [[email protected]][email protected][/email]; [email protected]

It is not right to blame a new system. Similarly we can not stay where we are and have to move with the stream to keep pace with the world. We have to keep in mind need base of the community, sustainability of the innovation and of the programme, affordability. As regards AD syringes kindly view the situation with that of prevalence of Hepatitis B. If government can assure safety it is ok, but no govt. can assure of safety Nagatraj.

Dear Friends, Here is more detail on deficiency of essential vaccines in India, the link; http://www.indianexpress.com/news/immunisation-deficiency/489413/0 Dr. Omesh BhartiM.B.B.S.,D.H.M.,M.A.E.(Epidemiology) Directorate of Health ServicesHimachal Pradesh+91-9418120302 [[email protected]][email protected][/email]; [email protected] Yahoo! recommends that you upgrade to the new and safer Internet Explorer 8.