Maharashtra begins vaccination for adults against TB in 40 districts

Micro-planning has been underway for the vaccination programme, which is part of the nation-wide project. “The anticipated number of beneficiaries in Maharashtra are around 30-31 lakh,”Dr Nitin Bhalerao, assistant director (TB and Leprosy) ,Maharashta said.

The BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) vaccine, which is administered at birth or within the first year of life, will be used. Recent evidence has indicated that the BCG vaccine among adults can further boost their immunity and protect them from tuberculosis, state TB officials said.

While certain high-risk groups were identified, officials said that they will take consent prior to vaccination. Among those eligible to take the vaccine would include any person above 18 years who has had a history of TB in the last five years, elderly citizens aged above 60, those who have had close contact with TB patients, current or past smokers and persons with diabetes.

According to city TB officer (Pimpri Chinchwad) Dr Balasaheb Hodgar, a door-to-door survey was conducted and around 3.28 lakh beneficiaries have been registered.