Punjab to launch a vaccine against 5 childhood killer diseases

Punjab government today said it will soon launch Pentavalent vaccine which will protect infants from five major killer diseases.
It was stated by Punjab Health Secretary Vini Mahajan in a release here.
"Pentavalent vaccine has a major role in protection against major childhood killer diseases. With the introduction of Pentavalent Vaccine, the infant and under-5 mortality of Punjab will decline further," she said.
This crucial vaccine would provide protection against Diphtheria, Pertussis, Hepatitis B, Tetanus and Hemophilias Influenza B, she added.
The vaccine will be launched by Health minister Surjit Kumar Jyani on Wednesday.
Mahajan said India has achieved truly impressive milestones through Universal Immunization Programme (UIP).

It is considered to be one of the most cost effective public health interventions that has delivered excellent results in providing direct and effective protection against preventable childhood diseases such as Measles, Hepatitis B, Diphtheria, Poliomyelitis, Tetanus and Pertussis, Mahajan said.

Punjab Health Services Director Dr Karanjit Singh said the introduction of Pentavalent vaccine will reduce the number of injections required for vaccinating children at 6, 10 and 14 weeks of age.
At these age intervals, the infant currently receives six injections (three DPT doses and three doses of Hepatitis B).
However, with the introduction of Pentavalent vaccine, the infants will now receive only three injections instead of the six earlier, he said.