India produces over 60% of the total vaccines sold globally.
Free Universal Immunisation Programme was launched way back in 1985.
As Covid vaccination rolls out, let applause this great Indian success story, that must be handled with great care to ensure continued credibility
The vaccine production started in British times. Immediately after independence, a vast network of vaccine research and manufacturers was developed that made the success story possible
Expanded Programme of Immunisation was launched in 1978.
People of my age remember the extensive free vaccination in schools and all still have marks of vaccination on our arms.
Small pox to Polio have been eradicated.
free universal immunisation was expanded in 2005
This success story of vaccine development, manufacture and immunisation could happen because India laid a huge network of Research Institutes. A glance:
International Centre for Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology (ICGEB),Delhi
National Institute of Immunology (NII), Delhi 5/n
New Delhi
National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune
National Aids Research Institute (NARI), Pune
National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases (NICED), Kolkata
Tuberculosis Research Centre (TRC), Chennai
Regional Medical Research Centre (BBSR), Bhuvaneshwar
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