India Launches Indigenous Td Vaccine, Hits 99% Immunisation Milestone

Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Shri J.P. Nadda, launched India’s indigenously manufactured Tetanus and Adult Diphtheria (Td) vaccine at the Central Research Institute (CRI) in Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh, on February 21, 2026. Hailing the event as historic, Nadda congratulated CRI scientists and staff, noting it bolsters national health security and advances Atmanirbhar Bharat in the health and pharma sectors under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. The vaccine now joins the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP), with CRI set to supply 55 lakh doses by April 2026, scaling up thereafter.
India, dubbed the “pharmacy of the world,” leads in vaccine production and holds the WHO
Maturity Level 3 in regulatory benchmarking, thanks to institutions like CRI, the first
government facility manufacturing under Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). Nadda
contrasted historical vaccine timelines (decades for tetanus) with India’s swift COVID-19 response: Two indigenous vaccines in nine months, over 220 crore doses administered
digitally via certificates. Through Vaccine Maitri, India aided nearly 100 countries, 48 gratis,
showcasing public sector prowess.
The world’s largest UIP delivers 11 vaccines against 12 diseases, immunising about 5 crore
beneficiaries yearly, 2.5 crore pregnant women and 2.5 crore children. Digital tracking via
U-WIN ensures five antenatal check-ups and 27 doses up to age 16, driving vaccine
coverage to nearly 99%. Institutional deliveries rose from 79% to 89%, reflecting robust
maternal health gains.
Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, the globe’s biggest health coverage
scheme, aids over 62 crore people, extending ₹5 lakh annual coverage to all seniors above
70, regardless of income. The Td transition follows WHO (2006, reaffirmed 2017) and NTAGI recommendations, replacing Tetanus Toxoid (TT) for broader diphtheria protection while maintaining tetanus elimination. CRI expedited development: test license, trial waivers, marketing authorisation, and commercial production.
This launch exemplifies governance transforming public health, with policies, digital tools, and institutions like CRI ensuring equity and resilience. Senior officials, state representatives, CRI Director Dr Dimple Kasana, and experts attended, underscoring collaborative momentum for a healthier India.