Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Monday flagged off the Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccination campaign that will cover around 1.13 crore children in the state. The drive will continue till March 26 and will cover children aged between nine months and 15 years.
The Measles-Rubella vaccination drive, which will replace Measles vaccine in the Routine Immunisation programme, has been launched simultaneously across the country Saturday. It is being introduced for the first time in the immunisation programme in the state.
During the initial two weeks of the campaign, vaccination will be undertaken in all schools. The next two weeks will see vaccination at the community-level, while the final week will be devoted to mop up activities in low coverage areas, both in schools and the community, said a health official.
For its successful implementation, various state government departments, including the Health, Education, ST, SC Development, Panchayati Raj and Housing and Urban Development, are working in tandem. Each department has identified a nodal officer for monitoring the immunization programme at the district level. Development partners like WHO, UNICEF, UNDP and professional bodies like Indian Medical Association (IMA), Indian Association of Pediatric (IAP) and Lions International are also supporting the campaign, officials said.
“All districts are prepared for the successful implementation of the campaign and IEC activities have been conducted throughout the state to generate community awareness,” Health Minister Pratap Jena said.
An additional fund of Rs 5 crore has been sanctioned from the state budget (SAMPURNA) for effective IEC activities in the urban-rural as well as remote areas of the state, he said. Measles and rubella are two viral diseases which are among the major causes of morbidity and mortality in children. Measles is a serious illness affecting children below 15 years of age.
If neglected, it can lead to severe complications and even death. Measles vaccination is presently given under the immunisation programme, the official added.
6 fall ill after immunisation
Puri: Six students of St Xavier’s School here fell sick after they were administered Measles-Rubella vaccines Monday.
The sick children, all from Class VI, were undergoing treatment at the district headquarters hospital.
According to sources, the vaccination drive was launched at the school after the prayer. A mobile health unit had gone to the school and the health workers administered the vaccines to the children.
However, the six children complained of stomach pain and head reeling one after another soon after taking the vaccines. They were rushed to the hospital in an ambulance.
“All the guardians were earlier notified about the vaccination drive. Besides, awareness was also generated among the children about the drive. They fell ill due to gastric problem. Now, their condition is stable,” Barnali Mohanty, a teacher of the school, said.
Additional district medical officer Basant Sahu also confirmed that the condition of all the children has improved.
PNN