UPSC Daily Current Affairs | Prelim Bits 18-07-2024

Measles and its vaccines

According to WHO-UNICEF, India has the highest number of unvaccinated children for measles in 2023, with 1.6 million cases.

• Measles is a highly contagious viral disease caused by the measles virus, which is a single-stranded RNA virus of the genus Morbillivirus within the family Paramyxoviridae.
• Symptoms- High fever, Cough, Runny nose, Diarrhea and Pneumonia.
• Transmission- It is an airborne disease, spreads through person-to-person contact.
• Vulnerable- Unvaccinated young children and pregnant persons are at highest risk of severe measles complications.
• Prevalent Regions - Measles is still common, particularly in parts of Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
• Treatment - There is no specific treatment for measles.
• Prevention - Measles Vaccines- The primary method for preventing measles is vaccination. There are several types of measles vaccines:
  • MMR Vaccine- MMR stands for Measles, Mumps, and Rubella. This combined vaccine protects against all three diseases.
  • MMRV Vaccine- MMRV stands for Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Varicella (chickenpox). This combined vaccine protects against all four diseases.
• In some regions, a single measles vaccine may be available, but it is less commonly used compared to the MMR and MMRV vaccines.
• Immunisation Agenda 2030- The Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA2030) sets an ambitious, overarching global vision and strategy for vaccines and immunization for the decade 2021–2030.
• A key goal of the Immunisation Agenda 2030 (IA2030) is to reduce the number of zero-dose children by half by 2030.

zero-dose children is a children who don’t receive a single dose of diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis containing vaccine.

Recent Findings of WHO-UNICEF

• In 2023, India was one of the top 10 countries globally where 55% of children lacked measles vaccination, despite 90-94% of its children being vaccinated for measles.
• India has recorded more ‘measles zero dose’ children in 2023 than in 2022.
• India logs 3^rd highest number of children not vaccinated against measles after Nigeria and Congo.
• The latest finding noted that measles outbreak in at least 5 Indian states in 2022, driven by reduced vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Maharashtra reported the most cases and deaths in India.

References

1. The Print | Measles
2. WHO | Measles

Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis (DTaP)

Recently WHO and UNICEF estimates of national immunization coverage (WUENIC) for 2023 indicate a slight decline in childhood immunization compared to 2022.

• DTaP Vaccine- The DTaP vaccine contains inactivated toxins (toxoids) from the bacteria that cause diphtheria and tetanus, along with whole-cell pertussis bacteria or parts of it.
• Typically administered to infants and children in a series of doses starting at 2 months old, with booster shots given at intervals to maintain immunity. 
• Findings- WHO and UNICEF estimates noted that, in 2023, India had 2.04 million under-vaccinated children, down from 2.11 million in 2019.
• Vaccine coverage fell to 85% during the first two years of the pandemic, down from 91% in 2019.
• India saw DPT vaccine coverage drop from 95% in 2022 to 93% in 2023.
• This decline suggests an increase in children receiving no routine immunizations.
• India's DPT coverage in 2023 was higher than the global average of 89%, and significantly above 2020 and 2022 figures of 87% and 88% respectively.

Reference

Indian Express | diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus (DPT)

Excipients in Drugs information

The Health Ministry initiated the process to amend the drug rules to mandate inclusion of details of excipients into the data stored in the label of drug formulation products.

• Excipients- Excipients are substances other than active pharmaceutical ingredients in finished pharmaceutical dosage forms.
• Almost all drug dosage forms include excipient to guarantee dosage, stability, and bioavailability.
• Currently, the other information that are stored in the label in bar code or QR Code include
  • The unique product identification code,
  • Proper and generic name of the drug,
  • Brand name,
  • Name and address of the manufacturer,
  • Batch number,
  • Date of manufacturing and
  • Date of expiry.
• There is no clear cut indication of composition of excipient on the strips of medicines available on retail medical shops and patients find it difficult to find paraben free antihypertensive medicines and others.
• Recent consideration - The listing of excipients was considered by the Ministry after multiple grievances about adverse related to parabens.
• The suggestion was to include the details of excipient or INS codes of the excipients on every strip of medicines.
• Aim- The move is aimed at helping patients omit any adverse reactions causing ingredients while under treatment.
• It will amend the sub-rule (7) of Rule 96 of the Drugs Rules, 1945 to include details of excipients.

Reference

The Hindu | Excipients in drugs information

Srijan portal

Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence has notified the 5^th Positive Indigenization List on the Srijan Portal.

• It is a non-transactional online portal for promoting indigenization in defence production.
• Aim - It aims to partner the private sector in indigenization efforts of Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), and the Armed forces.
• Ministry - Ministry of Defence.
• Launched in - 2020.
• DPSUs/OFB/SHQs can display the items On this portal, which they have imported or going to import, each item having a sizeable importable value.
• The Indian Industry will show their interests in those items for which they can design, develop and manufacture as per their capability or through a joint venture with OEMs.
• The concerned DPSUs/OFB/SHQs, based on their requirement of the items and their guidelines & procedures will interact with the Indian industry for indigenization.

Reference

The New Indian Express | SRIJAN portal