摘要：Introduction of Haemophilus influenzae type B (HiB)containing pentavalent vaccines (a combination vaccinewhich protects against five killer diseases- diphtheria,pertussis, tetanus, hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenzaetype B) in the Universal Immunization Program(UIP) was a far sighted decision taken in 2009 by the Ministryof Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.This decision was based on the recommendations of NationalTechnical AdvisoryGroup on Immunization(NTAGI) and was aimed atreducing the burden of HiBrelated infections (1).Thedecision was supported bythe GAVI Alliance (formerlyknown as the Global Alliancefor Vaccines and Immunizations) and in August 2009they decided to provide funding worth US$ 165 million tothe Government of India to support the introduction ofpentavalent vaccine (2).The vaccine was to be introducedin a phased manner.In the first phase, the vaccine wouldhave been rolled-out in 10 states and an estimated 18 millioninfants were expected to receive the vaccine.The decisionof the Indian Government to introduce HiB vaccinationinto its UIP was hailed internationally by public healthpractitioners as India constitutes 34% of the birth cohortin GAVI-eligible countries (3) and even in the absence ofpopulation-based data, the country is estimated to have thehighest number of deaths due to HiB in children under 5years of age (4).
