A groundbreaking study soon to be published in a reputed journal reveals that global vaccination efforts have saved a staggering 154 million lives over the past 50 years—an equivalent of 6 lives every minute, every year. Among these, a remarkable 101 million were infants, showcasing the profound impact of immunization on the youngest lives.
Over the past half-century, vaccination against 14 diseases, including Measles, Polio, and Tuberculosis, has played a pivotal role in reducing infant mortality rates by 40 per cent worldwide, and by over 50 per cent in the African Region alone.
The world recently commemorated the 225th anniversary of Edward Jenner’s groundbreaking smallpox vaccination in 1796, the world’s first vaccine developed against contagious smallpox. Vaccines stand as one of the most remarkable innovations in human health history, transforming dreaded diseases into preventable diseases.
It’s worth mentioning that just six years after the discovery of the Smallpox vaccine, India received its first shipment of the vaccine in May 1802. The inaugural vaccination took place on June 14, 1802, in Bombay, administered to three-year-old Anna Dusthall. During those days, India’s vaccine reserves leaned heavily on imports from Great Britain for its vaccine supply,
However, growing demand for Smallpox vaccine resulted in a shortage of vaccine and concerns over British personnel deaths, forced the British-Indian Government to establish research efforts that dated back to 1832 in Bombay and involved animal testing for lymph in Madras in 1879. In 1892, India passed the Compulsory Vaccination Act to ensure broader coverage against Smallpox to seek alternative methods to enhance sustained vaccine supply.
In the 1890s, India grappled with a double calamity: a rampant Cholera epidemic sweeping through Bengal and neighbouring regions, compounded by a Smallpox outbreak. In a bold move, the Government of India authorized Dr. Waldemar Mordecai Haffkine to conduct Cholera vaccination trials in 1893. Dr. Haffkine’s groundbreaking tests in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, not only demonstrated the efficacy of his vaccine but also heralded a new chapter in India’s fight against infectious diseases.
Followed by Cholera, a devastating Plague outbreak in 1896, triggered the urgent implementation of the Epidemic Act of 1896—a pivotal legislation that still stands firm today. The following year, in 1897, Dr. Haffkine shattered barriers by crafting India’s first Plague vaccine, marking a monumental breakthrough. This triumph paved the way for the inception of the Plague Laboratory in Bombay, later renamed 1925 as Haffkine Institute.
The first Pasteur Institute of India emerged in Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh, in 1900, later the institute merged with the Central Research Institute in 1939. Meanwhile, the Pasteur Institute of Southern India (PISI) was established in Coonoor in 1907. PISI played a pivotal role, producing a neural tissue Anti-Rabies vaccine in 1907 and hosting the WHO Influenza Laboratory in 1957. However, despite these strides, colonial practices hindered Indian scientists from fully contributing to their intellectual legacy.
Upon India’s independence in 1947, vaccine research and development lagged behind global standards. Nevertheless, fuelled by unwavering determination, India embarked on a transformative journey, striving for self-reliance. A pivotal moment emerged in 1948 when the King Institute in Madras (Chennai) established the BCG Vaccine Laboratory, igniting a new era in Indian healthcare.
Fast forward to 1968, a landmark ‘Feasibility Study for TB Prevention Trial’ with the BCG vaccine began in Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, lasting almost two decades until 1987. This monumental trial challenged conventional wisdom, unveiling that BCG vaccination didn’t offer significant protection against pulmonary TB in adults. Consequently, India shifted its BCG vaccination policy towards prioritizing early childhood immunization—a decision that led to revisions in BCG vaccination policies worldwide.
This crucial moment highlighted the impressive capability of Indian research facilities and their scientists to conduct extensive evaluations of vaccine effectiveness for future projects.
In 1968, the Pasteur Institute of Southern India introduced India’s first trivalent Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV), sparking local vaccine development supremacy and this groundbreaking achievement paved the way to swiftly introduce a gamut of vaccines including Tetanus Toxoid (TT), Diphtheria Toxoid (DT), and Diphtheria, Pertussis, and Tetanus Toxoid (DPT). The Expanded Programme for Immunisation in 1978 and Universal Immunisation Programme in 1985 established India’s dedication to public health.
India’s post-independence vaccine journey demonstrated resilience and innovation in advancing public health. Despite aiming for self-reliance, imports persisted, highlighting the importance of homegrown innovation.
The inception of the National Vaccine Policy in the year 2011, which advocated Public Private Partnerships, and suggested adaptable governance to support vaccine development in the PPP mode stirred debates.
Government extended invitations to renowned Indian vaccine firms to collaborate in vaccine development efforts. Despite initial skepticism, the synergy between public and private sectors yielded positive results.
Today, India has become a key player in the global vaccine sector, meeting 60-70 per cent of the combined vaccine demand of organizations like UNICEF, PAHO, Gavi, and the WHO. Moreover, India now caters to over 70 per dent of the world’s vaccine needs, including supplies to private markets. Notably, Telangana’s Life Sciences Ecosystem contributes significantly, supplying 33% of the global vaccine demand on its own.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, India’s ability in vaccine innovation and manufacturing came into focus, solidifying its position. India developed four COVID-19 vaccines while the world struggled to create even one. The pandemic prompted efforts to streamline innovation and manufacturing processes, demonstrating India’s significant contribution to the global fight against the pandemic through initiatives like ‘Vaccine Maitri (Friendship)’, where vaccines were donated to several countries by the Government of India.
India’s vaccine industry has undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving from providing basic childhood vaccines to a dynamic sector equipped and pandemic-ready. Today, India stands and plays a crucial role as a major supplier to Low and Middle-income Countries, dedicated and driving accessibility for global public healthcare.
The article is written by Dr. G.V.J.A. Harshavardhan, Director General, Indian Vaccine Manufacturers Association.
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