Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:
(a) whether there is shortage of Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) in Government and private hospitals and if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise including Kerala;
(b) whether many children are likely to miss vaccination against type-2 polio virus due to the said shortage; and
(c) if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)
(a): There is no shortage of Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) in National Immunization Program. Under the programme the vaccine is provided by Government of India to States/UTs and the vaccination is carried out by service delivery outlets consisting mainly of Government hospital, Block Primary Health Centres, Primary Health Centres, Sub Centres, outreach session sites in the villages etc. There is a global shortage of IPV. However, this reduced supply to government at present has not resulted in shortage of IPV to the State/UTs.
As per provisional reports received from States/UTs, in current financial year from Apr-Oct, 2017 a total of 537.37 lakh doses of IPV have been supplied to the States/UTs which is more than total children vaccinated in the same period i.e. 140.95 lakh. This indicates that there is no shortage of IPV. (The State/UT-wise details are annexed).
(b): In view of the above, the question of children remaining unimmunized against type 2 polio virus due to shortage of IPV does not arise.
(c): Following steps are being taken to check the shortage of IPV:
• States/UTs are provided IPV vaccine on a monthly basis based on monthly performance report.
• Multi dose IPV vaccine vial once open is reused for subsequent sessions as per the laid down guideline to minimize the vaccine wastage without compromising on the safety aspect of the programme.
• Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has supported public sector manufacturer for technology transfer of IPVs based on the Sabin strains from WHO. …………