Typhoid Vaccine: India's new weapon in the fight against typhoid! Indigenous vaccine will attack many bacteria including Salmonella

Indian researchers have developed a new vaccine to protect children from typhoid. This vaccine is capable of attacking many forms of Salmonella bacteria, which causes typhoid. This vaccine will provide protection against both Salmonella Typhi and Salmonella Paratyphi diseases.

According to the news published in a newspaper, the new vaccine for typhoid has been developed by the National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases based in Kolkata. To properly assess its quality, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has announced to work with private companies.

What is typhoid?
Let us tell you that typhoid is a serious disease which can cause fever, diarrhea and vomiting. It is caused by a bacteria called Salmonella Typhi, which is found in contaminated food and water. This disease is most prevalent in developing countries, where an estimated more than 2 lakh deaths occur every year. At present, only two vaccines are available to prevent typhoid in India. But they have some limitations. They are effective only against specific types of bacteria and have to be taken several times for long-term protection.

Indigenous vaccine will be most effective
This vaccine is expected to be more effective than existing vaccines. Currently two different typhoid vaccines are available in India. These vaccines do not provide long-term protection to children. The new vaccine is capable of producing long-lasting antibodies. It is also successful in preventing recurrence of typhoid.

Will provide protection for a long time
ICMR says that the current vaccine does not provide long-term protection to children. Generally, even after vaccination, typhoid can recur in children aged 5-15 years. Therefore, researchers have developed a long lasting antibody formula, which is capable of preventing typhoid from occurring again.

Vaccination is important to prevent typhoid

Researchers say that vaccination is very important to prevent typhoid. In the year 2019, more than 90 lakh typhoid cases were reported worldwide, while more than 1 lakh children died. Most of these cases and deaths occurred in South-East Asia and Africa, which also includes India. The new indigenous vaccine can play an important role in saving the lives of millions of children and reducing the global health burden of typhoid.

(PC: Google)