The implementation of a pentavalent (5 actives in one vaccine) into the Indian health system has caused great concern, especially since “Every few days one more child dies after receiving the pentavalent vaccine… Yet as these deaths mount, it has been announced that pentavalent vaccine is to be introduced in 3 more states…” [1]
The five-in-one vaccine contains actives for diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib). It seems that the hepatitis B active is questioned as not being protective of infections in babies. How interesting! As a result, parents are refusing to have their children vaccinated, while vaccination rates have fallen off dramatically—25 percent in the last four years.
Ten Indian health experts, Dr Amitav Banerjee, Dr Arun Gupta, Dr BM Hegde, Dr JP Dadhich, Dr Jacob Puliyel, Dr KP Kushwaha, Dr Ritu Priya, Dr SK Mittal, Dr S Srinivasan and Dr Vikas Bajpai, wrote a letter to the Indian PMO (Property Management Officer) [2] wherein they stated that