Pentavalent vaccine would be introduced soon in the State. With one injection a child would receive vaccination for diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, Hepatitis B and haemophilus influenza type B (Hib). This will be part of universal immunisation programme for children below one year of age.
At present vaccination for diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus are given in a single injection and for hepatitis B through another injection. Vaccination for Hib is included through pentavalent vaccine, which would prevent meningitis, pneumonia, septicemia, septic arthritis and other diseases.
Pentavalent vaccine would reduce the number of injections a child receives, from nine to six.
The vaccine is expected to be introduced all over the State during February after training programme for administration of the vaccine in all districts is completed, District Medical and Health Officer J. Sarojini said here on Friday. Training programme was completed in Visakhapatnam district.
Once pentavalent vaccine is introduced the revised immunisation schedule would be BCG, hepatitis B and polio vaccines after birth of child; pentavalent in the sixth, 10{+t}{+h}and 14{+t}{+h}weeks; measles and vitamin A in ninth and 12{+t}{+h}months; DPT booster, polio booster and second dose for measles in 16{+t}{+h}and 24{+t}{+h}months and DPT booster in fifth and sixth years.
