Kohima: Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine was launched at Dr Motsuo Memorial District Hospital, Wokha on Friday.
Delivering the key note address, Chief Medical Officer, Wokha, Dr. C.W. Tungoe said, the new vaccine was introduced in universal immunization programme by the Government of India to protect children from pneumococcal, pneumonia and meningitis diseases. He informed that the first dose will be administered during the 6thweek (1.5 month) and second dose to be administered during the 14th week (3.5 months) and the third dose will be given in the form of booster during the 9th month.
He said that the district has targeted to vaccine 1,249 beneficiaries annually and the vaccine is already distributed to all the health care centres for intensive immunization.
Dy. CMO, Wokha, Dr.ZubenKikon, while giving the chairman remark said, death rate in the Country is very high among children because of such related diseases and since children are prone to diseases, the new vaccine is introduced to protect children having respiratory problems and further added that full immunization can protect the child from life threatening diseases.
Beneficiaries also invited during the launching programme and vaccine was administered later in the day.
Under the aegis of Universal Immunization Program (UIP), Kiphire District also launched the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) on Friday at District Hospital, Kiphire.
Speaking on the occasion, DPO, (RCH/UIP), Dr. K.Pewezo Khalo underscored the importance of PCV vaccine and stated that it provides protection against Pneumococcal Pneumonia and Meningitis. He informed that PCV is made available to all the beneficiaries free of cost in the district. Pewezo also appealed to the parents to bring their children and receive the vaccine from their nearest Health Centre at 6 weeks, 14 weeks and at 9 months.
Further, he urged Field Health Workers to utilize this vaccine and protect vulnerable children from Pneumonia and Meningitis. The program was attended by staff of District Hospital, UIP, WHO, UNDP and NGOs.
