#MissionTyphoid, Know Why TCV Vaccination Program Is Safe?

In past few years Karachi and Hyderabad became a focus for international health organizations after outbreak of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) typhoid in Hyderabad and then its spread to Karachi.

This is why Government of Pakistan & Sindh Provincial Government started a new TVC vaccination campaign with a target of 5.2 million children.

This step was applauded and supported by World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) but locally questions were raised on the safety of the vaccine.

People asked why such a mass campaign was initiated for Typhoid rather than other deadly diseases? And when some children in a private school fainted due to the vaccination rumours started to spread about the safety of the vaccination.

But all these questions and rumours were refuted by Prof Khalid Shafi who is the Vice President of the Pakistan Pediatric Association (PPA). He assured parents that this new Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV) is safe and have been used previously in Hyderabad and Lyari.

And the reason why XDR typhoid has received this attention is because it’s resistant to all antibiotics except one (Carbapenem).

This means in future we can face a typhoid which is not cure able, hence this vaccination drive was started to protect citizens from such scenario, claimed Prof Raza.

“If the last drug against it fails, millions would die due to this treatable and preventable disease” added Professor Raza.

One of the greatest evidence for the safety of this vaccine is that it is pre-qualified by WHO, which means the production of TCV is rigorously monitored by WHO. This is why WHO recommends TCV, claimed WHO Pakistani representative Dr. Palitha Gunarathna Mahipala.

UNICEF Country Representative in Pakistan Aida Girma also appreciated this vaccination “We applaud the commitment of the Government of Pakistan and Sindh authorities for prioritising the health of children.”

Add Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.