| Hepatitis is also
known as "inflammation of the liver". The most common cause of
infection is one of the five viruses, called Hepatitis A, B, C, D and E.
Among these forms, the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is a major cause of concern.
In
India
,
it is estimated that at least 100,000
people die every year due to illnesses related to HBV infection.
Realizing the
dangers of Hepatitis B, the government expanded the Universal Immunization
Programme (UIP) to include Hepatitis B vaccine in the year 2002. This was
done in 33 districts and 15 large cities with support from Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations or GAVI,
as a pilot project. In the year 2004, in the pilot project, 1.2 million
children were vaccinated, with three doses of Hepatitis B. The government
plans to make the reach of the vaccine nationwide by 2009.
For more details click on the
links cited below:
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