Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine launched in Meghalaya

Shillong: The National Health Mission (NHM), Meghalaya today launched the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) in various parts of the State.
The NHM launched the vaccine at Pomlum Primary Health Centre (PHC) in East Khasi Hills district and at Asanang PHC in West Garo Hills district.
The vaccine will be introduced in the Routine immunisation programme which will be administered to children free of cost in all the health centres of the district.
Mission Director NHM Meghalaya, Ram Kumar said that this programme was an important one as it was directly related to the maternal and infant deaths in the state.
He also said that based on these factors, a rescue programme was initiated whereby in the last 3 months, 7 out of 11 districts in the state reported zero maternal deaths which was an indication that the state was “moving in the right direction”.
“Pneumonia is the leading cause of death among children below 5 years of age,” he said.
Principal Secretary Health and Family Welfare department, P. Sampath Kumar, who launched the immunisation programme at Asanang PHC highlighted the importance of immunisation and that it helps in preventing those diseases which have no cure.
He informed that about 50 per cent of children die in the State of Meghalaya due to pneumonia-related illness.
Therefore, Sampath urged the parents to cooperate with the health department in immunising their children regularly and ensure that every child is healthy in future.
The Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) is available through NHM and is available in 3 doses; 1st dose to be administered when the child attains 6 weeks, 2nd dose on the 14th week and 3rd dose when the child attains 9 months.
The vaccine is also available in private hospitals at the rate of Rs 3000 per dose,” health officials said.