Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda has launched an indigenous Tetanus and adult Diphtheria (Td) vaccine, marking a significant update to India’s adult immunisation strategy. The Td vaccine will replace the standalone Tetanus Toxoid (TT) vaccine currently administered to adults under the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP).
For decades, adults in India have received the TT vaccine to prevent tetanus. However, public health experts note that immunity against diphtheria declines over time.
During childhood, children receive the DPT (Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus) vaccine as part of routine immunisation. While this provides strong protection early in life, antibody levels against diphtheria can decrease by adolescence and adulthood.
Booster doses are therefore essential to maintain immunity. By replacing the TT vaccine with the Td vaccine, adults will now receive protection against both tetanus and diphtheria in a single booster dose.
This aligns India’s immunisation policy with global public health recommendations that emphasize maintaining diphtheria immunity beyond childhood.
To support the rollout, the Central Research Institute (CRI), a public sector vaccine manufacturer, will supply approximately 55 lakh (5.5 million) doses of the Td vaccine for use under the UIP by April 2026.
The move strengthens domestic vaccine manufacturing capacity and reduces reliance on imports for adult immunisation needs.
Officials stated that the indigenous production ensures quality control, affordability, and sustained availability within the public health system.
Diphtheria is a bacterial infection caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae. While often associated with childhood illness, adults with waning immunity remain susceptible.
If left untreated, diphtheria can cause:
Severe throat infection
Breathing difficulties
Heart complications (myocarditis)
Nerve damage
Periodic booster doses help maintain protective antibody levels and prevent outbreaks.
Tetanus, caused by Clostridium tetani, remains a risk through contaminated wounds. Unlike diphtheria, tetanus does not spread from person to person but requires consistent booster immunisation for protection.
By combining both components, the Td vaccine offers broader and sustained protection for adults.
The Universal Immunisation Programme is one of the largest public health vaccination initiatives globally, covering millions of beneficiaries annually.
Officials emphasized that the change represents an evidence-based upgrade rather than an expansion of the immunisation schedule.
The launch of the indigenous Td vaccine by Health Minister JP Nadda marks a strategic shift in India’s adult immunisation policy. By replacing the TT vaccine with a combined tetanus-diphtheria booster and ensuring supply through CRI, the government aims to address waning diphtheria immunity in adults while maintaining tetanus protection.
(Rh)
