The Hindu Business Line : `Grown-ups also need diphtheria booster vaccines'

That is what the country's largest vaccine manufacturer, Serum Institute, seems to be saying with the launch of Td-Vac, a vaccine to tackle tetanus and diphtheria in adolescents and adults. Touted to be the country's first indigenous vaccine of its kind, the Td vaccine is different from the normal DT (dual antigen) vaccine used in children.

But isn't a vaccination during childhood good enough for a lifetime? "That concept is not correct. Immunity levels wane and so one needs a booster," said Mr Masud Ahmed, Marketing Director of Serum Institute.

The incidence in diphtheria is seen to be increasing in the country, he said. Serum has been exporting this vaccine, but the trigger to sell it in India was when local doctors made enquiries to treat the increasing incidence of diphtheria in adults. Besides, Td vaccine is required when one travels to some countries such as the US, he added.

Diphtheria is an air-borne and potentially life-threatening bacterial disease that usually affects the throat and nose. In more serious cases, it can attack the heart and nerves, said Dr Nitin K. Shah, a consultant pediatrician who will head the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) next year.

No vaccination has lifelong protection, he said, adding that IAP, for instance, recommends Td vaccine at 10 years and 16 years.

Doctors further recommend booster shots after every 10 years, Dr Shah told Business Line.

Td-Vac priced at Rs 7.50 is marginally higher than the Tetanus (TT) vaccine at Rs 6.50. Mr Ahmed said that no other company sells a Td vaccine in the country. No details were available on the market size for the vaccine in the country.

Citing the example of erstwhile USSR, Dr Shah said, when the country split-up, there was an outbreak of diphtheria in young people and adults in spite of them being vaccinated in their childhood.

Earlier, a booster was required only if the immunisation cycle was broken.

But given the increasing incidence of diphtheria, he said, Td boosters are required even in normal circumstances.

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