Shortage of affects Universal Immunisation Programme----- Lives of250 lakh children could be in danger this year, and probably another 250 lakh next year. They cannot be vaccinated because DPT and BCG vaccines are in short supply. Compared to 2007-2008, DPT (diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus) vaccination fell by 29 per cent in Orissa and by 36 per cent in West Bengal in April-November 2008-09. BCG vaccination fell by almost 8 per cent in Uttar Pradesh and by more than 11 per cent in Punjab. TheUPAgovernmenthasonlyitself, rather the previous one, to blame. In January2008, thenhealthministerDr Anbumani Ramadoss suspended the licences of three public sector vaccine manufacturing units