The correct answer is Option (1) → 1948
The BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin) vaccine against tuberculosis was first introduced in India in 1948.
History of BCG in India
- Initial Launch (1948): The vaccination was first introduced on a limited scale as a pilot project in two centers: Madanapalle (Andhra Pradesh) and Delhi.
- Production: To ensure a steady supply, the BCG Vaccine Laboratory was established in Guindy, Chennai in May 1948.
- Mass Campaign (1951): After the success of the pilot, the Government of India launched a massive "BCG Mass Campaign" in 1951 with the help of WHO and UNICEF, making it one of the largest vaccination drives of its time.
- Integration (1962 & 1978): It became part of the National Tuberculosis Programme (NTP) in 1962 and was later included in the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) in 1978.
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