A groundbreaking study soon to be published in a prestigious journal reveals global vaccination The efforts have saved an astonishing 154 million lives over the past 50 years – equivalent to 6 lives lost every year, every minute. Notable among these were 101 million infants, demonstrating the profound impact of vaccination on the lives of the youngest.

Over the past half century, vaccination against 14 diseases, including measles, polio and tuberculosis, has played a significant role in reducing infant mortality rate 40 percent worldwide and more than 50 percent in the African region alone.

The world recently celebrated the 225th anniversary of Edward Jenner’s groundbreaking smallpox vaccination in 1796, which was the world’s first vaccine developed against infectious smallpox. Vaccines are one of the most remarkable innovations in human health history, turning dangerous diseases into preventable diseases.

It is noteworthy that just six years after its discovery smallpox vaccine, India received the first batch of vaccine in May 1802. The inaugural vaccination took place in Bombay on 14 June 1802, given to three-year-old Anna Dusthall. In those days, India’s vaccine stockpile was heavily dependent on imports from Great Britain for its vaccine supplies,

However, increased demand for smallpox inoculations led to vaccine shortages and concerns over the deaths of British personnel, forcing the British-Indian government to establish research efforts in Bombay in 1832 and in Madras in 1879. Animal testing involved. In 1892, India passed the Compulsory Vaccination Act to ensure widespread coverage against smallpox, prompting alternative methods to continuously increase vaccine supply.

In the 1890s, India was grappling with a double disaster: large-scale cholera epidemic An outbreak of smallpox spread in Bengal and neighboring areas. In a bold move, the Government of India authorized Dr. Waldemar Mordecai Haffkin to conduct cholera vaccination trials in 1893. Dr. Haffkin’s groundbreaking trials in Agra, Uttar Pradesh not only demonstrated the efficacy of his vaccine, but also marked the beginning of a new chapter in India. Fight infectious diseases.

The outbreak of cholera, a devastating plague, in 1896 led to the immediate implementation of the Epidemic Act of 1896 – an important law that remains in place today. The following year, in 1897, Dr. Haffkine broke the barriers by creating India’s first plague vaccine, which was a major success. This victory paved the way for the establishment of the Plague Laboratory in Bombay, later renamed the Haffkine Institute in 1925.

India’s first Pasteur Institute emerged in Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh in 1900, the institute later merged with the Central Research Institute in 1939. Meanwhile, the Pasteur Institute of Southern India (PISI) was established in Coonoor in 1907. PISI played an important role, producing nerve tissue anti-rabies vaccine in 1907 and hosting the WHO Influenza Laboratory in 1957. However, despite these advances, colonial practices prevented Indian scientists from fully contributing to their intellectual heritage.

After India’s independence in 1947, vaccine research and development lagged behind global standards. Yet, driven by unwavering determination, India embarked on a transformative journey as it strived for self-reliance. A significant moment came in 1948 when the King Institute was established in Madras (Chennai). bcg vaccine The laboratory is ushering in a new era in Indian healthcare.

Fast forward to 1968, a landmark ‘Feasibility Study for TB Prevention Trial’ with the BCG vaccine began in Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, which ran for almost two decades until 1987. This large trial challenged conventional wisdom, showing that BCG vaccination does not provide significant protection against pulmonary TB in adults. As a result, India shifted its BCG vaccination policy towards prioritizing early childhood vaccination – a decision that led to revision of BCG vaccination policies worldwide.

This important moment highlighted the impressive capacity of Indian research facilities and their scientists to comprehensively evaluate vaccine effectiveness for future projects.

In 1968, the Pasteur Institute of Southern India introduced India’s first trivalent oral polio vaccine (OPV), leading to the pinnacle of local vaccine development and this unprecedented achievement led to the development of vaccines including tetanus toxoid (TT), diphtheria toxoid (DT), Paved the way for a series to be introduced rapidly. ), and diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus toxoid (DPT). The Expanded Program for Immunization in 1978 and the Universal Immunization Program in 1985 established India’s dedication to public health.

India’s vaccine journey after independence demonstrated resilience and innovation in advancing public health. Despite the goal of self-reliance, imports continued, highlighting the importance of domestic innovation.

The introduction of the National Vaccine Policy in 2011, which advocated public-private partnerships, and suggested adaptive governance to support vaccine development in PPP mode, sparked debate.

The government invited renowned Indian vaccine firms to collaborate in vaccine development efforts. Despite initial skepticism, synergy between the public and private sectors yielded positive results.

Today, India has become a major player in the global vaccine sector, meeting 60-70 per cent of the combined vaccine demand of organizations such as UNICEF, PAHO, Gavi and WHO. Additionally, India now meets more than 70 percent of the world’s vaccine needs, including supplies to private markets. Notably, Telangana’s life sciences ecosystem makes a significant contribution, supplying 33% of the global vaccine demand on its own.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, India’s capability in vaccine innovation and manufacturing came into focus, strengthening its position. India developed four Covid-19 vaccines While the world struggled to create even one. The pandemic prompted efforts to streamline innovation and manufacturing processes, thereby demonstrating India’s significant contribution to the global fight against the pandemic through initiatives such as ‘Vaccine Maitri (मैत्री)’, where vaccines were donated by the Government of India to several countries. Donations were made.

India’s vaccine industry has undergone a remarkable transformation, from providing basic childhood vaccines to a dynamic sector equipped and prepared for the pandemic. Today, India stands as a major supplier to low- and middle-income countries and plays a vital role, dedicating and driving access to global public health care.

This article has been written by Dr. GVJA Harshvardhan, Director General, Indian Vaccine Manufacturers Association.

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