When a crop of blisters had appeared on my wife’s skin two years ago, the thought of chicken pox had not even crossed my mind. Like many who take their responsibilities seriously, I had ensured that my wife and children had received all their vaccination shots, and that was ten long years earlier.“And that precisely is the problem” said my dermatologist friend Dr Ajit, who took just a few seconds to diagnose it as varicella (chicken pox). Protection from vaccination is not strong and lasts for only 5 to 10 years, requiring booster shots. And when I asked how long I had to give these booster shots, he merely shrugged his shoulders and said, “probably for life”. In fact I was probably better protected than she was, as like most kids of my time. I had had a natural attack of varicella in my childhood.
While there are over 20 vaccines available in the market, there is no denying that 7 of them given to babies have saved many lives and prevented much suffering. Poliomyelitis, diphtheria, whooping cough (pertussis), tetanus, measles, mumps and rubella have become so uncommon, thanks to vaccination,that a modern pediatrician would find it hard to diagnose them if they see a patient. Small pox is dead and gone, almost entirely due to vaccination. Hepatitis B, is a late entrant to the Indian infant immunization program, and is universally accepted as a ‘must have’. BCG, that is supposed to protect against tuberculosis, and is ceremonially given to each newborn infant, is in fact the weakest one, as questions are being raised about its efficacy.
While there are over 20 vaccines available in the market, there is no denying that 7 of them given to babies have saved many lives and prevented much suffering. Poliomyelitis, diphtheria, whooping cough (pertussis), tetanus, measles, mumps and rubella have become so uncommon, thanks to vaccination,that a modern pediatrician would find it hard to diagnose them if they see a patient. Small pox is dead and gone, almost entirely due to vaccination. Hepatitis B, is a late entrant to the Indian infant immunization program, and is universally accepted as a ‘must have’. BCG, that is supposed to protect against tuberculosis, and is ceremonially given to each newborn infant, is in fact the weakest one, as questions are being raised about its efficacy.
With the range of vaccines widening and with multinationals promoting their brands among pediatricians and doting parents all for protecting their children further,the shelf is getting crowded. Although labeled “optional” (which parent would deny it to his baby if the pediatrician says it is safe and protective, never mind the cost!) Hepatitis A and chicken pox vaccines are both expensive and are yet to prove their worth in India, more so in adults. Another one, the pneumoccal vaccine, is touted to protect against potentially fatal chest and brain infections with pneumococcus. The vaccine indeed protects well against the 23 strains that are encountered in the west where it is recommended and has been shown to be of value. There is however no evidence that it protects against Indian strains that comprise the remaining 67, many of which are the real culprits here.
The scenario of vaccination in adults is a lot complex than it is for infants. The Human Papilloma Virus vaccine, 3 doses of which are recommended to adolescent girls, offer protection against cervical warts and cancer, diseases that are getting infrequent anyhow. Fortunately, despite our escalating enthusiasm, the rabies vaccine is still recommended only to those who have been bitten by stray or mad dogs! Let us not let vaccine companies convince us that all our children would be better off with it too.
As published in HT City ( Hindustan Times) dated 27 june, 2010.
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