Odisha Rolls Out Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine For Children

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Health Minister Naba Kishore Das on Wednesday rolled out Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine for children. The vaccine will benefit nearly 8 lakh young children annually by protecting them from pneumonia and checking child mortality.

Speaking at the launch, the Health Minister said, “PCV vaccine under Routine Immunization Programme will further protect our children from diseases like pneumonia and meningitis”.

He also praised the district administration and healthcare workers for their relentless service during COVID-19 pandemic and said Odisha is doing best in corona vaccination. He also patted them for continuing the routine immunizations of maternal and child health services during these times.

Additional Chief Secretary, Health & FW, Pradipta Kumar Mohapatra said immunisation programme is one of the most cost effective health investment and the state has achieved more than 85% full immunisation coverage because of sincere efforts of healthcare workers.

The first two doses at 6 weeks and 14 weeks will be combined with oral polio, Rota vaccine, Pentavalent, fPV. For the booster dose at 9 months, this vaccine will be given along with measles, Vitamin A and JE.

National Health Mission, Mission Director, Shalini Pandit, said under NHM, the state is implementing the Childhood Pneumonia Management programme (SAANS) and the Integrated Action Plan for prevention of Pneumonia & diarrhea (IAPPD) guidelines in all the districts focusing on HWCs.

The specific benefits of PCV are:

1. This vaccine will prevent deaths due to pneumonia and meningitis caused by bacteria known as Streptococcus
Pneumoniae that accounts for nearly 16% of all deaths of children below 5.
2. PCV vaccine will also help in preventing 36% cases of severe pneumonia.
3. This vaccine will also lead to reduction in use of antibiotics for treatment thereby decreasing the risk of the bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics.

Director of Family Welfare Dr. Bijaya Kumar Panigrahy and UNICEF Odisha, Chief of Field Office Monika O Nielsen also attended the launch.