Andhra Pradesh launches statewide TD vaccine campaign for 10‑ and 16‑year‑olds

A three‑day vaccination drive organized by Andhra Pradesh’s Department of Health, Medical and Family Welfare will deliver Tetanus‑Diphtheria (TD) shots to children who have completed 10 and 16 years of age from December 3 to 5, according to a release cited by The Hindu.

Who is responsible for the drive?

The health department, led by Health and Family Welfare Commissioner and National Health Mission Director K.V.N. Chakradhar Babu, is overseeing the campaign and has instructed district officials to coordinate with education and welfare agencies, The Hindu reported.

What age groups will be covered and how?

Children aged 10 will receive the TD‑10 vaccine and those aged 16 will get the TD‑16 formulation; the plan targets more than 95% of this cohort and will be carried out in both government and private schools and intermediate colleges, the release states.

How will the rollout be managed?

Auxiliary Nurse Midwives have been asked to compile lists of eligible students, arrange vaccine doses and necessary medical supplies, and identify out‑of‑school children, while district officers will monitor sites, ensure availability of anaphylaxis kits and issue digital certificates that will be uploaded to online health portals, The Hindu noted.

The campaign builds on the existing immunisation schedule where infants receive Pentavalent vaccines, adding the TD shot to protect adolescents from potentially fatal diphtheria and tetanus infections.