Why in News?
Public health specialists are recommending that the Hepatitis A vaccine be added to India’s Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP). The reason: outbreaks are increasing, while natural immunity among teenagers and young adults is falling sharply.
Understanding Hepatitis A
What is Hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A is a short-term viral infection caused by the Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) that leads to inflammation of the liver.
It does not progress to chronic liver disease. However, adults infected with HAV can develop severe hepatitis or even acute liver failure in rare cases.
Where is it commonly found?
- Found globally with both sporadic and cyclic outbreaks.
- Very common in low- and middle-income regions where sanitation is poor—most children get infected early.
- Less common in high-income countries, but outbreaks occur among:
- men who have sex with men (MSM)
- people who inject drugs (PWID)
- travellers
- homeless populations
How does it spread? (Transmission Route)
(Hepatitis A has no vector; it spreads via the faeco-oral route.)
- Eating or drinking contaminated food and water
- Direct contact with an infected person
- Poor hand hygiene, contaminated hands
- Oral–anal sexual contact
- Household spread, especially when an infected person handles food
- Waterborne outbreaks due to sewage contamination
Common Symptoms
- Fever, fatigue
- Poor appetite
- Nausea, diarrhoea
- Stomach pain
- Dark-coloured urine
- Jaundice
Treatment
- No specific antiviral drug exists
- Hospitalisation required only in severe cases
- Most individuals recover completely and develop lifelong immunity
Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP)
What is UIP?
India’s largest national vaccination initiative offering free vaccines to all children and pregnant women against major preventable diseases. It is among the world’s biggest public immunisation systems.
When did it start?
- 1978: Launched as Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI)
- 1985: Strengthened and renamed as the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP)
- Achieved nationwide rollout by 1989–90
Main Components of UIP
Planning and Framework
Based on the National Health Policy, National Vaccine Policy, and inputs from NTAGI (National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation).
Cold Chain & Logistics
- Around 30,000 cold chain points nationwide
- Equipment includes ILRs, deep freezers, WIC/WIFs, and vaccine vans
- eVIN ensures real-time tracking of stock and storage temperatures
Safe Injection & Waste Disposal
- Use of auto-disable (AD) syringes
- Hub-cutters for needle safety
- Waste management as per CPCB norms
AEFI (Adverse Events Following Immunisation) Monitoring
- Multi-level reporting system functional since 1988
- SAFEVAC portal for quick online reporting and investigation
Capacity Building
Regular training for medical officers, health workers, and cold-chain staff at:
- NCCTC, Pune
- NCCVMRC, Delhi
UPSC Prelims practice questions-
Q1. With reference to Hepatitis A, consider the following statements:
- It is a viral infection transmitted mainly through the faeco-oral route.
- Hepatitis A infection commonly progresses to chronic liver disease.
- There is no specific antiviral treatment available for Hepatitis A.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(A) 1 ONLY
(B) 1 AND 3 ONLY
(C) 2 AND 3 ONLY
(D) 1, 2 AND 3
Answer: (B)
Q2. Hepatitis A is more prevalent in which of the following settings?
(A) HIGH-INCOME COUNTRIES WITH GOOD SANITATION
(B) LOW- AND MIDDLE-INCOME REGIONS WITH POOR SANITATION
(C) DESERT REGIONS WITH LOW HUMAN SETTLEMENT
(D) ONLY IN TROPICAL REGIONS
Answer: (B)
Q3. Hepatitis A outbreaks in high-income countries are frequently linked with which of the following groups?
- MSM (Men who have sex with men)
- Travellers
- People who inject drugs
- Infants below 6 months
Select the correct answer using the code below:
(A) 1 AND 2 ONLY
(B) 1, 2 AND 3 ONLY
(C) 2, 3 AND 4 ONLY
(D) 1, 2, 3 AND 4
Answer: (B)
Q4. In the context of Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) in India, consider the following statements:
- It was launched in 1978 as the Universal Immunisation Programme.
- UIP is one of the largest immunisation programmes in the world.
- eVIN is used for real-time monitoring of vaccine stock and cold-chain temperatures.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(A) 2 AND 3 ONLY
(B) 1 AND 2 ONLY
(C) 3 ONLY
(D) 1, 2 AND 3
Answer: (A)
(Statement 1 is wrong — it started in 1978 as EPI, renamed UIP in 1985.)
Q5. Which of the following is/are correctly matched under the UIP Support Systems?
- NCCTC – Training of cold chain technicians
- SAFE-VAC portal – Online reporting of AEFI
- CPCB Guidelines – Biomedical waste disposal
Select the correct answer:
(A) 1 AND 2 ONLY
(B) 2 AND 3 ONLY
(C) 1, 2 AND 3
(D) 1 AND 3 ONLY
Answer: (C)