Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda launched India’s indigenously manufactured Tetanus and Adult Diphtheria (Td) Vaccine at the Central Research Institute in Himachal Pradesh.
The vaccine has now been introduced for supply under the Universal Immunization Programme, strengthening India’s immunization coverage for adolescents and adults. CRI is set to supply 55 lakh doses by April 2026, with production expected to scale up in the coming years.
Background & Global Recommendations
The World Health Organization recommended in 2006 that countries transition from Tetanus Toxoid (TT) vaccine to Td vaccine—a move reaffirmed in the WHO Tetanus Vaccine Position Paper (2017) and by the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE).
About Td Vaccine
- Protects against tetanus and diphtheria.
- Made using purified tetanus and diphtheria toxoids adsorbed onto aluminum phosphate.
- Helps prevent severe complications such as muscle spasms, breathing difficulty, heart failure, paralysis, and death.
Significance
The launch aims to reduce morbidity and mortality from vaccine-preventable diseases and further strengthen India’s immunization drive. The UIP currently provides 11 vaccines protecting against 12 diseases, with CRI playing a key role in vaccine development and supply.
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