DPT3 Vaccine

Overview

The percentage of Indians who have received their third dose of the DPT3 vaccination.

The coverage rate for DPT3, the third dose of diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus vaccines, in India rose to an all-time of 93% in 2022
This surpassing the previous pre-pandemic best of 91% recorded in 2019,
Also marking a sharp increase from the 85% recorded in 2021 according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
The WHO and UNICEF estimates for national immunisation coverage for 2022, released on July 18, showed that in the WHO South-East Asia Region, the coverage rate for DPT3 recovered to the pre-pandemic level of 91%, a sharp increase from the 82% recorded in 2021.
The region also witnessed a six per cent improvement in the coverage of the measles vaccine, rising to 92% in 2022 from 86% in 2021.

The DPT vaccination belongs to a group of combination vaccines.
Photo by Kristine Wook on Unsplash
It protects against diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and tetanus, three contagious human illnesses.
Diphtheria and tetanus toxoids, as well as pertussis antigens or dead pertussis-causing bacteria cells, are included in the vaccination.
Two booster doses of DPT are administered at 16 to 24 months and 5 to 6 years of age, respectively, along with the original dose of DPT included in the pentavalent vaccination.

About Diphtheria

It is an infectious condition brought on by the bacteria Corynebacterium diphtheria.
Children between the ages of 1 and 5 are most affected by diphtheria.
Diphtheria typically strikes during the colder months in temperate areas.

Tetanus

It is an infection brought on by the Clostridium tetani bacterium.
These bacteria release a toxin that causes painful muscular spasms when they enter the body.
Certain skin breaks are more prone to get infected with tetanus germs.
It cannot transfer from one person to another.

Pertussis

The whooping cough is another name for it.
It is a severe respiratory ailment that spreads quickly and is brought on by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis.
The cilia (tiny, hair-like extensions) that line a portion of the upper respiratory system are where whooping cough germs attach.
Toxins (poisons) released by the bacteria harm the cilia and enlarge the airways.
Through the air, it may readily spread from person to person.

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Headquarters	Geneva, Switzerland

The WHO is a member of the United Nations Development Group.
Its predecessor, the Health Organization, was an agency of the League of Nations.
It has the authority of directing and coordinating matters related to International health.
World Health Assembly is the supreme decision making body of WHO, attended by delegations from all member states.
It meets in Geneva in May each year.
The Executive Board of WHO implements the decisions and policies of the World Health Assembly.

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