IAP’s perspectives on current vaccination scenario in India

Abstract

The current vaccination scene is marred by controversies and conflicts. In the absence of clear-cut policies, hardcore evidence, and lack of transparency in dealing with international agencies and donors, industry, academic bodies, and the media, the public health establishments dealing with vaccination are under unprecedented pressure from different quarters. Their policies are criticized by experts, openly questioned by the media, and dragged to the court by an emerging coterie of disbelievers often described as ‘anti-vaccine activists’. The government also seems a bit confused and scared to take head on these groups mainly fearing judicial intervention and their adverse decisions. The current controversy on the safety of pentavalent vaccines (DTwP-HepB-Hib), introduced recently in few more states is just one glaring example of the mess created by different stakeholders of the move in the government circles and their many adversaries outside the circle [1]. On the other hand, the private sector is also not bereft of its own ills, accusations, and indictments. The ‘private market’ though quite miniscule in comparison to huge public sector in terms of vaccine needs and usage seems quite unregulated. There is no ‘playing rules’ for the industry regarding their operations in this sector. There is no ethical guideline, no monitoring, and no ‘code of conduct’ for their promotional activities. As a result, the vaccine industry evolves their own set of rules and regulations, driven solely by sales and profits. And in the process, they often prop-up a group of ‘experts’ from the pool of so called ‘key opinion leaders’ willing to help them in pursuance of their final goal of boosting sales and garnering profits. They use the baits of ‘paid speaking assignments’ and ‘foreign jaunts’ to these experts to further their cause. Often they try to influence the guidelines of academic bodies by sponsoring their meetings, CMEs, and scientific sessions to get a favorable recommendation. All these issues are not under any veil and frequently discussed and debated openly by academia and lay media, now and then [2-5].