Pentavalent vaccine, a combination of five vaccines in one: diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenza type b, will be available in Karnataka from November 1.
As part of the Universal Immunization Programme, the vaccine would be administered free of cost to all kids visiting government hospitals and clinics in the state.
Explaining the need to replace the two existing vaccines: DPT and Hepatitis B, with a single pentavalent vaccine, WHO surveillance medical officer Dr Satishchandra said pneumonia kills an estimated 1.4 million children below the age of five worldwide in a year. Meningitis is the next leading cause of death in children. As of 2005, 69,000 children in India died from Pneumonia and Meningitis, he said.
With the backing of the National Technical Advisory Group for Immunisation, the apex body on immunisation, and New Delhi-based Indian Council of Medical Research, India introduced the expensive vaccine and so far 2 million doses have been administered.
Until 2009, the country’s average vaccine coverage was 66 per cent, he said
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