Why in the News?
Health authorities are debating whether Hepatitis A vaccine should have higher priority for inclusion in Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) compared to Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV).
About Hepatitis A:
- Overview: Viral infection caused by Hepatitis A Virus (HAV), spreading through contaminated food, water, or close contact with an infected person.
- Nature of Disease: Leads to acute liver inflammation with fever, jaundice, nausea, abdominal pain, and fatigue.
- Treatment: No antiviral therapy; illness is self-limiting and recovery occurs within six months with supportive care.
- Vaccine: Highly effective (90 to 95 percent), long-lasting immunity for 15 to 20 years or lifelong; prevents symptomatic infection.
- Current Trend: Improved sanitation lowers childhood exposure, but adult susceptibility is rising, increasing disease severity.
What is Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP)?
- Launch and Evolution: Started in 1985; later integrated with Child Survival and Safe Motherhood Programme (1992) and National Rural Health Mission (2005).
- Coverage: Provides free vaccines against 12 diseases– 9 nationally (Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Polio, Measles, Rubella, Tuberculosis, Hepatitis B, Hib) and 3 in selected states (Rotavirus, Pneumococcal Pneumonia, Japanese Encephalitis).
- Achievements: Played a central role in polio eradication, reducing measles deaths, and improving child survival indicators.
Why Hepatitis A deserves priority?
- Greater Adult Severity: Shift from childhood to adult infections results in higher rates of acute liver failure.
- Recent Outbreaks: Reported surges in Kerala, Maharashtra, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh signal a widening public-health risk.
- Falling Immunity: Seroprevalence has declined from around 90 percent to under 60 percent in many cities, leaving millions unprotected.
- Indigenous Vaccine: Biovac-A (Biological E Ltd.) is safe, affordable, and effective, with single-dose protection simplifying rollout.
- No Resistance Concerns: Viral disease with no antibiotic use eliminates resistance challenges.
- Cost Advantage: More economical and operationally easier than multi-dose vaccines like typhoid conjugate vaccine.
- Policy Relevance: Inclusion in the national programme could curb outbreaks and reduce adult liver-failure cases.
Back2Basics: Hepatitis
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| [UPSC 2019] Which one of the following statements is not correct?
(a) Hepatitis B virus is transmitted much like HIV. (b) Hepatitis B, unlike Hepatitis C, does not have a vaccine. * (c) Globally, the number of people infected with Hepatitis B and C viruses are several times more than those infected with HIV. (d) Some of those infected with Hepatitis B and C viruses do not show the symptoms for many years. |
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