A landmark moment unfolded at the Central Research Institute in Kasauli as Union Health Minister JP Nadda inaugurated the country’s first indigenously manufactured Tetanus and Adult Diphtheria (TD) vaccine. This achievement spotlights India’s advancing prowess in vaccine technology.
Nadda, addressing the gathering, called it a ‘pillar of public health progress’ and commended CRI’s innovation as a symbol of governmental dedication to self-reliance. With 99% immunization coverage now in place, India is setting benchmarks that resonate on the world stage.
The institute will supply 55 lakh doses to national programs by April 2026, gradually increasing production volumes. Nadda credited PM Modi’s vision, underscoring states’ relentless pursuit of health and drug independence targets.
Positioning India as a top vaccine hub with WHO’s third-ranked regulatory framework, he juxtaposed past struggles—decades for tetanus, a century for Japanese Encephalitis vaccines—against COVID triumphs: two homegrown vaccines in nine months, 220 crore+ digital doses administered.
The TD vaccine’s rollout strengthens adult immunization drives, reduces import dependency, and cements India’s leadership in equitable global healthcare access.