(Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Goa, Jammu & Kashmir, Haryana, Gujarat, Karnataka and Puducherry) where pentavalent vaccine has been introduced in phased manner. The increase in reporting is not found to be associated with Pentavalent vaccine use.
This increase in reported AEFI has been due to strengthening of AEFI monitoring, revision of AEFI guidelines in 2010.
Dissemination of guidelines, constitution of District & State AEFI committees and regular review of AEFI cases by National AEFI committee. An AEFI secretariat has also been established to strengthen the AEFI monitoring in the country.
Pentavalent vaccine is a licensed vaccine. Any drugs including vaccines are licensed and cleared by Drug Controller General of India after examining the safety and efficacy profile of the product.
The Government shall continue to use Pentavalent vaccine as eleven more states ie Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Delhi and Uttarakhand has requested for introduction of Pentavalent vaccine in their state after successful introduction of Pentavalent vaccine in 8 states.
This was stated by Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha today.
