Round 2 of Intensified Mission Indradhanush 5.0 from today
Kohima, September 9 (MExN): The challenge of vaccine refusal still exists in Nagaland despite multiple visits to households by the health care workers, a top state health official informed today on the eve of Round 2 of the Indradhanush (IMI 5.0) scheduled for September 11-16.
This is a major hurdle in ensuring that no child is left behind for life saving vaccinations, maintained Dr Imkongtemsu Longchar, State Immunisation Officer (SIO), Directorate of Health & Family Welfare, Nagaland.
Accordingly, with the Round 2 starting from Sunday, the Department expressed hope that these caregivers will take up the opportunity to get their child/children fully protected from vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs) like TB, Pneumonia, Diarrhoea, Polio, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Whooping cough), Tetanus, Hib, Hepatitis-B, Japanese Encephalitis, Measles & Rubella.
With the objective of identifying all children up to 5 years for missed doses, register them on U-WIN and vaccinate them in specially planned IMI sessions, Nagaland along with the rest of the country conducted the Round 1 from August 7-12.
The State could achieve 81% coverage for 0-2 years age group, 92% coverage in 2-5 years age group and 86% coverage for identified pregnant women, the SIO informed,
For the Round 2, the State has created 191 IMI sessions with child target of 1187 (0-5 years) and 81 pregnant women.
These are beneficiaries who are unvaccinated and partially vaccinated children and pregnant mothers who could not take up timely immunisation, Dr Longchar said.
If some beneficiaries are missed during the headcount, there is the option for onsite registration with an ID card (Aadhaar card, PAN card, passport, driving license, service card, ration card or any government approved ID card), he added.
To meet the challenge vaccine refusal, the SIO further noted that the community needs to know the importance of immunising the child at the right age to ensure that the child receives full protection.
“The vaccines are available free of cost at all Government health facilities and that every unvaccinated or partially vaccinated child is at risk of life-threatening disease,” he added.
Only through support from the community can the immunisation activities be sustained, Dr Longchar stressed, further seeking continued support from allied departments, Faith Based Organisations (FBOs) Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Village Council Chairperson, Women leaders and members of IMA, IAP, IDA, Rotary, Lions Club etc towards immunisation process.
This, the SIO added, would ensure that all children under 5 years of age in the family or community complete their dose during the current special immunisation sessions and also enable timely immunisation schedule through the regular Routine Immunisation services in the Government health units.
