NEWER VACCINE INTRODUCTION (PNEUMOCOCCAL CONJUGATE VACCINE) FROM THE STATE’S OWN RESOURCES IN HARYANA, INDIA: AN EXAMPLE OF ADVOCACY TO POLICY AND ACCELERATED PUBLIC HEALTH ACTION

Introduction: Global pneumonia mortality (50%) caused by pneumococcus is responsible for invasive pneumococcal disease. Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) has been introduced by the Government of India in a phased manner in selected states, but Haryana was not included. Objective: To draw key lessons learned from the process of newer vaccine introduction (PCV) in Haryana from the state’s resources to inform future introductions of PCV and any other new vaccine in other states of India and internationally. Methods The process of PCV introduction in Haryana was introduced with the launch of “Atal Jeevan Rakshak Teekakaran Yojna,” in 22 districts of the Haryana. The highest political and administrative leadership with a strong commitment to reducing the IMR and U5MR, approved the proposal and budget (~12 million USD). It was planned use of the of PCV13, and follow the National Immunization schedule i.e. 2 primary and 1 booster dose at 6, 14 weeks, and 9 months. The State-level launch ceremony of PCV introduction was organized in November 2018. Findings: Haryana became the first state of India to launch the PCV from state’s own resources. More than 1 million doses of PCV are administered across the state with great success. The addition of PCV in state’s EPI program is a step towards equity without creating undue and excessive additional burden on immunization systems. Conclusion: PCV introduction in Haryana is a brilliant example of state government ownership supported by MoHFW and development partners for health and immunization system strengthening.