What is the importance of using Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines in India ?
- 1.These vaccines are effective against pneumonia as well as meningitis and sepsis.
- 2.Dependence on antibiotics that are not effective against drug-resistant bacteria can be reduced.
- 3.These vaccines have no side effects and cause no allergic reactions.
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
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Answer: B. Statement 1 is correct: pneumococcal bacteria cause pneumonia, meningitis and sepsis, and the vaccine protects against these. Statement 2 is correct: preventing infection reduces the need for antibiotics, which helps against drug resistance. Statement 3 is wrong: no vaccine is free of side effects. So 1 and 2.
Watch for: Any statement saying a medicine has 'no side effects' should be suspected.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Wrong because the vaccine also reduces antibiotic use.
- C. Wrong because vaccines can have side effects.
- D. Wrong because statement 3 is false.
Source to check: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, PCV under Universal Immunization Programme (2017); WHO pneumococcal vaccine position paper (2019)
Answer from the official UPSC key. Written and fact-checked by AI against the official key. Spotted a mistake? Report it.