The DoHS took this decision after WHO found fault in the composition of DPT-HepB-Hib manufactured by the company. The samples had been collected from different countries including Nepal. “There were complaints against the vaccines in many countries,” Krishna Bahadur Chanda, vaccine department chief at DoHS, told Republica. “We suspended the use of these vaccines immediately after WHO made its recommendations.” [break]
According to Chanda, particles of medicines used for DPT-HepB-Hib vaccines do not dissolve in water before injecting them into babies" bodies. “The amount of medicine was also less in some vials,” Chanda told, adding, “The amount of medicine must be 0.5 ml per vial. But some of the vials contained just 0.5 ml medicines.”
According to public health experts, DPT-HepB-Hib is a combination of mainly three vaccines. The DPT component is used to protect children under the age of one from Diphtheria, Pertussis and Tetanus. Similarly, HepB is used worldwide for keeping children safe from Hepatitis B and Hib is to protect babies from Haemophilus Influenza.
The Child Health Division (CHD) at DoHS started using DPT-HepB-Hib vaccines almost a year ago. In the first phase, it was introduced in 25 districts of far and mid western regions. CHD introduced it in the rest of the 50 districts less then six months back. “We have instructed all district hospitals to not use this vaccine,” he said.
The suspended vaccines will be stored in nearby go-downs. “We will not store all packs of vaccines until the next decision,” Chanda said. According to him, DPT-HepB-Hib vaccines will again be bought from another company soon. “We will have new vaccines manufactured by another company by next week,” Chanda said.
The DPT-HepB-Hib vaccines were bought under the financial assistance of the United Nations Children"s Fund (UNICEF). The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations (GAVA), founded mainly by Bill Gates and Melinda Gates, has been helping poor countries to buy vaccines through various international agencies.
Related story
Popularity of Chinese Vaccines in China’s Neighbors
