Update on immunization policies, guidelines and recommendations
Singh, S.
Indian Pediatrics 41(3): 239-244
2004
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-6061 PMID: 15064510 Document Number: 567703
This paper summarizes the policies and guidelines finalized by the Indian Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Immunization (IAPCOI) during the deliberations conducted in New Delhi, India on 4-5 October 2003. The policies include the establishment of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization, the continuation of the universal immunization programme (which should include the vaccines for hepatitis B, measles-mumps-rubella, typhoid and Haemophilus influenzae type b infection), the use of oral polio vaccine (OPV) in pulse immunization programme against poliomyelitis, and the immunization of infants with diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus vaccine/OPV. The guidelines presented in this paper are those pertaining to the use of vaccines against hepatitis A, varicella, pertussis, poliomyelitis, Japanese encephalitis, and Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis infections. The stand of the IAPCOI on the use of combined vaccines, on adolescent vaccination, on documenting immunization records and on advertisements pertaining to optional/combined vaccines is also emphasized. The recommendations by the IAPCOI to the Ministry of Health of India and to the Federation of Obstetric and Gynecologic Societies of India are also presented.