DPT3 Vaccine
Source : The Hindu
GS II : Health
Overview
- News in Brief
- About DPT3 Vaccine
- About Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis
Why in News ?
The percentage of Indians who have received their third dose of the DPT3 vaccination.
News in Brief
- 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.
What is DPT3 Vaccine?
- The DPT vaccination belongs to a group of combination vaccines.
- 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.
World Health Organization
A Specialized agency of the United Nations that is concerned with international public health.
Headquarters | Geneva, Switzerland |
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- 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.
The WHO is responsible for
- World Health Report
- Worldwide World Health Survey
- World Health Day
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