Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) to treat pneumococcal pneumonia in children below the age of five has been launched across the state, Friday. The vaccine has been introduced under Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP).
The new injectable vaccine would be administered in three doses – the first dose to be given at 1½ month; second dose at 3½ months and the third or booster dose at 9 months.
In Dimapur, PCV was launched by Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dimapur, Dr. I. Moatemjen om Friday.
In a press release, district programme officer for UIP/RCH, Dr. Rebecca informed pneumococcal infection could lead to serious invasive diseases such as meningitis, pneumonia, and septicemia, as well as milder but more common illnesses such as sinusitis and otitis media.
Dr. Rebecca further informed that the PCV vaccine was safe, well-accepted and severe adverse reactions attributable to the vaccine are extremely rare.
While maintaining that mild side effects such as pain at the injection site and fever could occur, Dr. Rebecca informed that all the health workers in the district have been trained to administer the PCV under routine immunisation.
Kohima: In Kohima, the vaccine was launched by principal director, Health and Family Welfare (H&FW), Dr Neikhrielie Khimiao at Primary Health Centre, Kohima Village.
In his brief address, Dr Khimiao said vaccines play a crucial role in protecting precious lives from various diseases, which had marred human civilisation from time immemorial.
Citing examples of viral diseases like small pox (variola virus) which spread in Nagaland, he said small pox which very virulent and contagious wiped-out entire villages in the past.
Dr Khimiao said during its outbreak people were forced to flee into jungles and return only after the epidemic was over.
However, with the advancement in technology and medical sciences, Dr Khimiao said the small pox has been eradicated from the world adding that this was a prime example of the effectiveness of vaccines.
Dr Khimiao thanked the state government for taking special initiative in ensuring that the newly developed vaccine was made available to general population and that Nagaland was among the early batches to receive the vaccine.
He disclosed that pneumococcal disease or generally understood as respiratory infection common among infants and young children was highly virulent and claims countless precious lives every year. Dr Khimiao expressed optimism that with the introduction of the new vaccine the deadly virus would be eradicated.
On similar lines, he said getting vaccinated was the only solution to overcome the disease even in the current pandemic. Therefore, he requested all those eligible to get vaccinated since government of India has announced to provide the vaccine free of cost.
Chairperson of the programme, state immunization Officer (SIO) H&FW, Dr RituThur, in a brief note, said that in India, each year more than 53,300 children under five years of age dies because of pneumococcal pneumonia.
He said pneumococcal pneumonia was the second disease with the highest morbidity and mortality rate among the age group next to diarrhoea.
Dr. Ritu said PCV was introduced in the country in 2017 with the first batch of states including Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar.
The second batch of states to receive the vaccine this year includes Andhra Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Sikkim, Tripura and Nagaland.
Earlier, invocation was said by Khedi Baptist Church, associate pastor, Kevidzenyü while DIO, Kohima Dr Rupert Peseyie proposed the vote of thanks. (Correspondent)
Longleng: Along with the rest of the state, PCV was launched at District Hospital, Longleng Friday where the importance of vaccination was highlighted.
A press release by the office of Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Longleng stated that in a keynote address, DPO (RCH/UIP), Dr Imnameren Phom gave a brief introduction on PVC, its importance and benefits.
Dr. Imnameren said the vaccine would help prevent pneumococcal disease in children and spread of infection from one person to another.
He appealed all beneficiaries to disseminate the information to their friends and colleagues so that they can come and avail the vaccine.
Short speeches were further delivered by Medical Superintendent, DH, Dr Kibangkumba and Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Obangjungla.
Kiphire: Along with the rest of the districts, Kiphire district launched the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine at District Hospital, Kiphire.
A press release from office of the CMO Kiphire informed that at the programme, DPO (RCH/UIP), Dr. K Pewezo Khalo underscored the importance of PCV and encouraged the parents to bring their children and receive the vaccine from the nearest health.
The programme was attended by the staff of district hospital, UIP, WHO, UNDP, including representatives from NGOs.
Zunheboto: In Zunheboto, PVC was launched at Khuwaboto SC, where deputy CMO, Zunheboto, Dr. K. Akaho Sema delivered the keynote address.
In a press release, CMO office Zunheboto informed that though the vaccine was expensive in the private sector under UIP the vaccine would be administrated for free.
Wokha: Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine was launched at Dr. Motsuo Memorial District Hospital, Wokha Friday wherein in a keynote address, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Wokha, Dr. C.W. Tungoe said the vaccine was introduced under UIP to protect children from pneumococcal, pneumonia and meningitis diseases.
He informed that the district has targeted to vaccine 1,249 beneficiaries annually and the vaccine was already distributed to all the health care centre for intensive immunization.
Dy. CMO, Wokha, Dr.Zuben Kikon said the death rate in the country was very high among children because of such related diseases.
Since children are prone to diseases, he said the new vaccine was introduced to protect children having respiratory problems adding that full immunization would protect the child from life threatening diseases.