Bangladesh introduces new combination vaccine

Bangladesh has just introduced a new combination vaccine that will protect its children against five killer diseases through one injection, including, for the first time, the deadly bacterium Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) that causes some severe forms of pneumonia and meningitis. The launching ceremony for introduction of the Hib vaccine in the form of pentavalent vaccine (DPT, Hep-B and Hib) was held on 15 January 2009 at the Zia Hall, of the Khulna City Corporation in the city of Khulna. In the first phase, the new vaccine is being administered in the area covered by the Khulna City Corporation and adjoining district, and it is expected that by end of June 2009, the new vaccine will be administered throughout the country.

In the launching ceremony organized in Khulna, the Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Prof A.F.M Ruhal Haque was the Chief Guest. The State Minister for the Ministry of Labour and Environment, Begum Monnujan Sufian, the Mayor of Khulna City Corporation, Mr Talukder Abdul Khaleque, the Secretary of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Mr AMM Nasir Uddin, the WHO Representative to Bangladesh, Dr Duangvadee Sungkhobol, was present in the occasion as Special Guests. The meeting was chaired by Prof. Md. Abul Faiz, Director General of Health Services. Following the speeches, the Chief Guest, Special Guests and Representatives of other UN agencies and development partners administered the first shots of the combination vaccine to the children.

The vaccine can prevent about one third of life-threatening cases of bacterial pneumonia, the leading infectious cause of death in children worldwide.  The vaccine will be provided under the routine immunization programme to nearly four million children born in Bangladesh every year. As Bangladesh records high routine immunization coverage, it is estimated that the Hib vaccine can save about 20,000 children’s lives annually, each year.

The new combination or 5-in-1 vaccine will protect children against Hib and four other deadly diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and hepatitis B. Instead of three different injections (for DPT, Hepatitis B and Hib), children will only need one injection at three different times during their first year of life: at the age of 6 weeks, 10 weeks and 14 weeks. This will make it easier for health workers who will need less time and less logistical support to immunize all children. It will also increase the uptake of vaccine as each child will get all five vaccines all at one time.