Strengthening Immunization Efforts to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance in India

Sub : Sci

Sec: Health

Why in News

The observance of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Awareness Week from November 18-24 has highlighted the critical role of vaccination in reducing antibiotic use and combating AMR. Recent data and studies underscore the importance of expanding vaccination coverage in India, especially for diseases like pneumococcal pneumonia and Haemophilus influenzae, which continue to pose significant health risks.

Current State of Vaccination in India:

India’s effort to restore childhood vaccination rates after the COVID-19 pandemic has been commendable.
Data Gaps in Vaccination: There is a lack of precise data on certain vaccines like the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV)and the Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine, which were added to the national immunization program in recent years.
These vaccines target pathogens such as Streptococcus pneumoniaeand Haemophilus influenzae, which are leading causes of respiratory infections.
Estimates from 2015 indicated that these pathogens caused around 84 million casesand 84,000 deaths annually in India.
These infections are a significant concern, particularly for children under five, causing ear infections, pneumonia, and meningitis.
Global Vaccination Trends: Many developed nations and 60 of the 73 Gavi-eligible countries have incorporated PCV into their immunization schedules. This has led to a notable reduction in pneumonia cases and associated deaths among children.

About Haemophilus Influenzae Vaccine (Hib):

The Hib vaccine prevents infections caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b bacteria.
Hib bacteria can cause pneumonia, meningitis (brain infection), septicemia (bloodstream infection), and epiglottitis (swelling in the throat).
Children under 5 years of ageare most at risk for Hib infections, particularly those under 2 years.
Typically administered in multiple dosesstarting from 6 weeks of age, often combined with other vaccines like DPT (Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus).
The Hib vaccine has been highly effective in reducing cases of Hib meningitis,one of the leading causes of bacterial meningitis in young children.
The Hib vaccine was introduced in India’s national immunizationprogram to reduce child mortality and combat the spread of respiratory infections.

About Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV):

PCV is designed toprevent infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, which includes diseases like pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis.
The vaccine is conjugate,meaning it combines several different strains of pneumococcal bacteria to provide broad immunity.
Children under 5, adults over 65,individuals with chronic illnesses, and smokers are most susceptible to pneumococcal infections.
Typically involves a series of doses starting from infancy,with additional doses recommended for older adults and at-risk populations.
PCV has been effective in preventing pneumococcal diseases, reducing hospitalizations, and decreasing the spread of antibiotic-resistant strains.
Majorburden states include Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Jharkhand.

About Anti-microbial resistance:

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) threatens the effective prevention and treatment of an ever-increasing range of infections caused by bacteria, parasites, viruses and fungi.
AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasiteschange over time and no longer respond to medicines making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death.
As a result, the medicines become ineffective and infections persist in the body,increasing the risk of spread to others.
Antimicrobials – including antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals and antiparasitic– are medicines used to prevent and treat infections in humans, animals and plants. Microorganisms that develop antimicrobial resistance are sometimes referred to as “superbugs”.

Non-Vaccination and AMR:

Non-vaccination contributes to a broader global challenge: antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Unvaccinated children are more susceptible to preventable diseases, which often result in unnecessary medical interventions, including the misuse of antibiotics.
The inappropriate use of antibiotics exacerbates the AMR crisis, making it harder to treat infections.

Antibiotic Usage in South Asia:

South and Southeast Asia account for approximately 6.5% of global antibiotic consumption.
The region also uses around 54.9% of antibiotics classified under the WHO’s Watch list, raising concerns over the rise of drug-resistant infections.
The AMR crisis is compounded by a lack of new drug development, leading to potentially dire consequences.