State mission director of National Health Mission (NHM), Manipur Dr N Shyamjai on Monday appealed to the entire parent community to get their children under two years of age to get vaccinated against vaccine preventable diseases during the “Intensified Mission Indradhanush 4.0.”
The Intensified Mission Indradhanush 4.0 was launched in the state on Monday by the directorate of Family Welfare Services and State Health Society NHM, Manipur.
The mission was already launched in February by the central government but due to the tight election schedule the special vaccination programme was launched in the state late. The mission also covers vaccination of pregnant women with tetanus toxoid vaccine.
According to the officials, the special vaccination programme will be held in three rounds. The first round is kicked-off from Monday (March 7) and will continue for a week without any holiday, likewise the second and third rounds will be kick-off from April 4 and May 2 respectively and will continue for a week without any holiday.
Speaking at the launching function the state mission director contended that the rate of immunisation of children in the state is very low in the past two years as the prevailing situation of the COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected the routine immunisation process.
In order to prevent the various vaccine preventable diseases, he called on the parents of children below two years, including those who are partially vaccinated to come up and get their children fully vaccinated to stay safe from the vaccine preventable diseases.
State immunisation officer of the NHM, Manipur Dr T Manihar said vaccination against 12 vulnerable diseases such as Hepatitis B, Polio, Tetanus, Tuberculosis, Measles, Japanese Encephalitis will be given during the programme.
The Intensified Mission Indradhanush 4.0 will be covering all the districts of the state except Senapati, he said, asking the parents to take the opportunity of the special vaccination programme.
Pointing out that the children below two years have a high mortality rate, he said getting vaccinated against the preventable diseases is the best way to stay safe.
The vaccination team will strictly adhere to the Covid appropriate behaviour and all the vaccines are safe for children, he assured.
The immunisation officer also informed that the Pulse Polio Programme, 2022 is also all set to commence in the state on March 24, 25 and 26. The first day will be conducted in various booths and the next two days will be conducted in the form of house to house visits.
The nationwide Pulse Polio Programme, 2022 was already launched in the country on February 27, however due to the tight election schedule it was also postponed.
