Dimapur, April 4 (MExN): The District Task Force held a meeting on tOPV to bOPV Switch and Mission Indradhanush Phase-3, First Round 2016 on April 4 at DC’s conference hall in Dimapur.
Dr. Lanuakum, DPO (UIP/ RCH) gave a detailed presentation on Global Polio Eradication Strategy and tOPV to bOPV Switch. He also informed the members on the recent milestones and achievements under Universal Immunization Programme. In India, he said, the last case of wild polio virus was detected in 2011, and in 2012, India was removed from the list of polio endemic countries. On March 27, 2014, India was certified “Polio free”.
He further stated that from April 25 - National Switch Day, the district will also switch from trivalent oral polio vaccine (tOPV) to bivalent oral polio vaccine (bOPV) along with the rest of the country and all tOPV will be recalled, destroyed and validated subsequently.
Dr. Lanuakum also presented on Mission Indradhanush Phase-3. The main objective of Mission Indradhanush 2016 is to immunize children below 2 years who are either partially vaccinated or completely unvaccinated and also to increase DPT booster coverage of children 5 years of age. He also stated that sessions planned under Mission Indradhanush will finally be part of the Routine Immunization.
James Swu, SDO (C), Dimapur encouraged the Social Welfare Department to continue activating the Anganwadi workers to identify and mobilize beneficiaries during the implementation of the said programmes and also the Education Department to continue to co-operate with Health Department.
The meeting was attended by representatives from Education Department, Social Welfare, Indian Association of Pediatrics and staff under CMO Dimapur.
