JP Nadda Unveils Indigenously Developed Tetanus; Adult Diphtheria Vaccine In India

Union Health Minister J P Nadda on Saturday launched the domestically developed tetanus-diphtheria (Td) vaccine at the Central Research Institute in Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh.

Addressing scientists and officials, Nadda described the occasion as historic.

He commended the researchers, technical specialists and staff of the Central Research Institute for achieving indigenous production.

Nadda said the launch strengthens national health security and fortifies India’s public health framework.

J P Nadda emphasised that the government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has prioritised self-reliance in health and pharmaceuticals.

He stated that the new Td vaccine reflects the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat in the medical domain.

With its formal introduction, the authorities have included the vaccine in the Universal Immunisation Programme.

The Central Research Institute will supply 55 lakh doses to the UIP by April.

Production will expand progressively in the coming years to reinforce immunisation coverage nationwide.

Strengthening Vaccine Self-Reliance

Nadda highlighted India’s standing as the “pharmacy of the world” and one of the foremost vaccine producers globally.

He noted that India has secured Maturity Level III under the World Health Organisation’s global benchmarking of regulatory systems.

This recognition underscores the credibility of India’s vaccine oversight architecture.

Institutions such as the Central Research Institute have contributed significantly to this achievement.

The Minister contrasted past global vaccine development timelines with India’s recent record.

He observed that tetanus vaccines required decades of research internationally.

Tuberculosis treatments evolved over nearly 30 years. The Japanese Encephalitis vaccine took close to a century of scientific endeavour.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, however, India developed two indigenous vaccines within nine months.

The country administered over 220 crore doses, including precautionary shots.

He also pointed out that authorities issued COVID-19 vaccination certificates digitally, signalling a major stride in public health digitisation.

Under the Vaccine Maitri initiative, India supplied vaccines to nearly 100 nations, providing free doses to 48 countries.

Nadda underscored that the Central Research Institute became the first government facility to manufacture vaccines under Good Manufacturing Practices standards.

He described the Universal Immunisation Programme as the world’s largest, delivering 11 vaccines against 12 preventable diseases.

Each year, around 2 to 2.5 crore children are born and a similar number of women conceive; digital platforms such as U-WIN track beneficiaries from pregnancy registration.

The programme ensures five antenatal check-ups and continues immunisation coverage with 27 doses until the child turns 16.

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