Zunheboto, October 17 (MExN): The Department of Health and Family Welfare, Zunheboto launched the largest ever health intervention to immunize 25,197 from the age group of 9 months to 15 years of age-against Measles and Rubella. So far 18,047 children have been vaccinated across the district without any untoward incidents.
Initially, the campaign had hit some hurdles because of rumour mongering and superstitions mainly shared on social media platforms. “The Administrations, Police, Health and Education Department teams assisted by the Social Welfare Department contained the situation in time by dispelling false rumours and explaining the benefits and importance of this vaccination drive,” stated a press note issued by Shekho Sophie, District Media Officer, CMO Office, Zunheboto.
It also stated that the campaign took enormous effort and advocacy to convince everyone including parents why even older children needed to be vaccinated. In order to install confidence in the minds of the people about the safety of the vaccinations, the administration, medical officers, church leaders and public leaders have walked the extra mile to vaccinate their own children first. Despite difficult terrain and hardship, the medical personnel are trying their best to reach all the children.
Meanwhile, Dr. Alemwabang Aier has thanked the schools authority, parents, health workers and development partners for helping the Department in successfully vaccinating the children of the target population in the district. He expressed immense gratitude to the faith based leaders, different organisation, and individuals for coming out openly to dispel the misinformation and doubts spread about the vaccination campaign.
The Department has earnestly appealed to all parents to cooperate and come forth to get all children between 9 months-15 years to be immunized with MR vaccine and be protected with the life-threatening Measles and Rubella diseases.
