Question : MENINGITIS VACCINES UNDER UNIVERSAL IMMUNIZATION PROGRAMME



(a) whether the cases of Meningitis patients are increasing in the country particularly in rural areas;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(c) whether the Union Government proposes to introduce meningitis vaccines under Universal Immunization Programme throughout the country;

(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(e) whether the WHO has also recommended to include Meningitis vaccines in the Universal Immunization Programme;

(f) if so, the details thereof; and

(g) the steps taken by the Union Government to check the spread of Meningitis disease in the country?

Answer given by the minister


THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE(SMT. PANABAKA LAKSHMI)

(a) & (b) As per the information furnished by Central Bureau of Health Intelligence (CBHI),the total number of cases reported due to meningitis in the country during the years 2006-2008 are given below:


Year Number of Cases Number of deaths

2006 3438 312

2007 5067 311

2008 2547 142

(till date)

The number of cases of meningitis during the last three years does not show any definitive trend.

(c) to (f) World Health Organisation(WHO) recommends emergency immunization using polysaccharide vaccines of group A and C or A,C,Y and W 135 to control outbreaks of meningococcal diseases.It also recommends that the inclusion of conjugate group C vaccine in National Immunisation Programme should be considered in the areas where group C meningococcal disease is a substantial public health problem among young children.

There is no proposal under consideration for introduction of Meningitis vaccine in the Universal Immunization Programme.

(g) It is primarily the responsibility of the State Government to prevent the disease through IEC and to provide the required facilities including early diagnosis and prompt treatment.However, National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) provides necessary technical support to States to prevent and control meningococcal diseases.Efforts are made for contact tracking of the patients and providing chemoprophylaxis.NICD also monitors the situation of disease in Delhi and the surrounding areas and receives samples from hospitals.Under Integrated Disease Surveillance Project,mechanism has been instituted to strengthen surveillance activities and promote early detection of any outbreak for appropriate action to prevent and control communicable diseases including meningitis.