GS Paper 3
Syllabus: Science and Technology: Health
Source: WHO
Context: World Health Organisation (WHO) has released a draft document outlining a global framework to prepare countries for the introduction of new tuberculosis (TB) vaccines for adults and adolescents.
What is tuberculosis (TB)?
Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It primarily affects the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body.
Status of TB in India and the world:
- As per the WHO Global TB Report 2022: India’s TB incidence for the year 2021 is 210 per 100,000 population (a decline of over 18% from 2020)
- India has a large burden of the world’s TB, with an estimated economic cost of US$100 million lost annually due to this disease.
Need for new TB vaccines:
Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) (the only available TB vaccine):
- Has reduced in efficacy over the years due to the development of multi-resistant TB
- It has limited efficacy in preventing pulmonary TB disease in adolescents and adults
- It does not prevent the reactivation of latent pulmonary infection.
Currently, two vaccines VPM (Vaccine Projekt Management) 1002 and MIP (Mycobacterium Indicus Pranii) have been developed and identified for TB.
WHO’s Draft Framework:
It is in line with WHO’s End TB Strategy (to reduce TB incidence by 80%, TB deaths by 90%, and to eliminate costs for TB-affected households by 2030)
Key Features of the Draft Framework for New TB Vaccines
| Feature | Description |
| Goals | Ensure the availability of new vaccines through sufficient, sustainable, and timely supply of the vaccine |
| Ensure accessibility to new vaccines through equitable delivery aimed at all who could benefit | |
| Ensure acceptance of new vaccines by policymakers, end-users, and the health system. | |
| Target Population | Adults and adolescents who see 90% of all TB cases, with a targeted approach towards main transmitters of pulmonary TB disease |
| Characteristics of vaccine: | The new TB vaccine should provide protection to both adults and adolescents; should replace existing BCG; should have an efficacy of at least 50%, and last for at least two years with a booster every five to ten years. |
| Financing | Sustained global/regional financing and political engagement are key aspects to allow for a rapid and equitable introduction and rollout of new TB vaccines. |
Other initiatives for eliminating TB:
| Initiative Name | Description |
| PM TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan | Target: Elimination of TB by 2025. |
| Ni-kshay Mitra Initiative: Ni-kshay Mitra (Donor) are those who can support by adopting health facilities (for the individual donor) for accelerating the response against TB to complement government efforts. | |
| Ni-kshay Digital Portal: A platform for community support for persons with TB. | |
| Nikshay Poshan Yojana (NPY): Provides Rs 500 support through direct benefit transfer to TB patients. | |
| The Nikshay Ecosystem (National TB information system): To monitor TB patients and their treatment progress | |
| National Strategic Plan (NSP) for Tuberculosis Elimination (2017-2025) | A comprehensive plan of the Indian government to eliminate TB from the country by 2025, five years ahead of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) for 2030. |
| TB Harega Desh Jeetega Campaign | A campaign to create awareness about TB and encourage people to get tested and treated. |
| WHO’s Find. Treat. All. #EndTB | A joint initiative by the WHO, the Global Fund, and the Stop TB Partnership to increase the number of people with TB who are diagnosed, treated, and cured, and to accelerate progress towards the goal of ending the TB epidemic by 2030. |
Insta Links:
Mains Links:
Appropriate local community-level healthcare intervention is a prerequisite to achieve “health for all” in India. Explain. (UPSC 2018)
Prelims Links
Which of the following is/are bacterial infections?
- Dengue
- Tuberculosis
- Leprosy
- Hepatitis A
- Yellow fever
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
- 1, 2 and 3 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1, 2, 4 and 5 only
- 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Ans: (b)
Justification:
- Dengue is caused by the dengue virus and spread by an infected Aedes mosquito.
- Tuberculosis is caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
- Leprosy is caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium Leprae.
- Hepatitis is caused by the Hepatitis A virus infecting the liver.
- Yellow fever is caused by the yellow fever virus(flavivirus) transmitted by mosquito bite.
