NEW DELHI: India will replace the long-used tetanus toxoid (TT) shot with a broader Tetanus and adult Diphtheria (Td) vaccine, with Union health minister Jagat Prakash Nadda set to launch the new jab at the Central Research Institute on Saturday.The move aligns India’s immunisation programme with global recommendations and expands protection beyond tetanus to include diphtheria — a potentially life-threatening infection that can cause breathing difficulty, heart failure and paralysis.Health officials said widespread childhood immunisation with DPT vaccines has sharply reduced cases of both diseases. However, diphtheria immunity can wane over time, making booster protection necessary. The World Health Organization recommended in 2006 that countries transition from TT to Td, a position later reaffirmed through expert reviews.India’s National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) subsequently advised replacing TT with Td for all age groups, including pregnant women. The shift aims to sustain gains in maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination while strengthening diphtheria protection among adolescents and adults. Tetanus is a serious bacterial infection that causes painful muscle stiffness and spasms and can be fatal if untreated. Diphtheria spreads through respiratory droplets and can lead to severe complications, especially in children and those with declining immunity. The Td vaccine contains purified tetanus and diphtheria toxoids and is designed to boost protection in older age groups.The vaccine has been developed and manufactured by the Central Research Institute (CRI), which functions under the Directorate General of Health Services. The ministry said CRI completed developmental studies, secured regulatory approvals and began commercial manufacturing after clearance from the Central Drugs Laboratory.Following the launch, CRI is expected to supply 55 lakh doses to the Universal Immunization Programme by April 2026, with production projected to increase in subsequent years.Senior ministry officials, state health representatives and public health experts are expected to attend the launch ceremony.
