IAP categorization of vaccines (2009)Category 1: EPI Vaccines BCG, OPV, DTwP, Measles, DT, TT, Hep B*, MMR*, Hib* Category 2: IAP recommended vaccines in addiiton to EPI Typhoid, Hib, Hepatitis B, MMR, IPV, Tdap, Td, HPV Category 3: Vaccines to be given after one to one discussion. Hepatitis A, PCV7, Chicken Pox, DTaP, Rotavirus Category 4: Vaccines under special circumstances Rabies, Influenza, PPV23, Japanese encephalitis, Meningococcal. * Some districts only BCG: Bacillus Calmette Guerin; OPV: Oral polio vaccine; DTwP: Diphtheria, tetanus, whole cell pertussis ; DT: Diphtheria and tetanus toxoid; TT: Tetanus toxoid; Hep B: Hepatitis B vaccine; MMR: Measles, mumps, rubella vaccine; Hib: Hemophilus influenzae type ‘b’ vaccine; IPV: Inactivated poliovirus vaccine; Td: Tetanus, reduced dose diphtheria toxoid; Tdap: Tetanus, reduced dose diphtheria and acellular pertussis vaccine; HPV: Human papilloma virus vaccine; PCV 7: 7 valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine; DTaP: Diphtheria, Tetanus, acellular pertussis vaccine; PPV 23: 23 valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine. |
The IAPCOI has categorized vaccines into four categories"
Category 2 vaccines are those that are unequivocally recommended by the IAPCOI for an individual child if parents can afford the vaccine. Category 3 vaccines are those where the cost benefit ratio or the vaccine efficacy for an individual child is lower than category 2 vaccines as of currently available data and hence are to be administered after one-to-one discussion with parents on a named child basis. When any new vaccine is introduced in the market (and is not part of EPI), IAPCOI has to take decision about categorization of the vaccine in category 2 or 3. This decision is based on the likely disease burden (morbidity and mortality) in the individual child, vaccine efficacy, safety and cost; all in the Indian context.
Hence hepatitis A/ Chicken pox vaccines where disease morbidity is usually low
and costs are high and pneumococcal conjugate/rotavirus
vaccines where vaccine efficacy in the Indian scenario is
uncertain are included in Category 3. It is important to note
that this categorization is largely based on expert opinion (Level
III evidence) as reliable India specific epidemiologic and vaccine
immunogenicity/efficacy data is not available. Also this
categorization is dynamic and as new information becomes
available, transition between categories may occur.